The Vatican has said Pope Francis is in a critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen.
Francis has been hospitalised for a week with a complex lung infection.
The Vatican said on Saturday that Francis has received blood transfusions after tests showed a condition associated with anaemia. The 88-year-old pope has been in hospital for a week with a complex lung infection
The statement said the “Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved.”
Earlier, doctors said Francis was suffering from pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection and his health remains touch and go. He is expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.
Francis, who has chronic lung disease, was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened.
Doctors first diagnosed the complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection and then the onset of pneumonia in both lungs.
They prescribed “absolute rest” and a combination of cortisone and antibiotics, along with supplemental oxygen when he needs it.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli hospital, said the biggest threat facing Francis was that some of the germs that are located in his respiratory system pass into the bloodstream, causing sepsis. The illness can lead to organ failure and death.
“He knows he’s in danger,” Alfieri added. “And he told us to relay that.”
