Pope Francis suffers from two 'acute respiratory failures', is conscious and resting - Vatican
Agencies
04/03/2025
Early Monday morning, Pope Francis underwent two bronchoscopic procedures and doctors removed the accumulated mucus. - Reuters file photo
ROME: The head of the international Catholic Church, Pope Francis, suffered "two episodes of acute respiratory failure," the Vatican said on Monday, marking another health crisis the 88-year-old leader has faced since he was first hospitalized last month.
According to the Vatican, Monday's episode stemmed from a "significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus" that caused a narrowing of the airways.
Early Monday morning, he underwent two bronchoscopic procedures and doctors removed the accumulated mucus, while, in the afternoon, Pope Francis was given an oxygen mask to help him breathe, the Vatican said. During that period, he was in a state of consciousness and cooperation, the statement added.
"It was a difficult afternoon," a Vatican source said on Monday night, but the acute respiratory crisis has passed and the Pope is now resting.
"This mucus accumulation is caused by pneumonia, which causes coughing and cramping," the source said.
At the same time, the medical team reportedly said that the results of Pope Francis' blood test remained stable, but his prognosis remained secret.
Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician in Boston, told CNN that "non-invasive mechanical ventilation," which the Vatican refers to as an oxygen mask, is intended to provide oxygen with little pressure to patients.
"Non-invasive ventilation is usually done before a person needs to undergo intubation with a ventilator," Faust explained.
He added that this treatment is used in two conditions - either the patient does not need intubation and sedation or the patient does not want to undergo intubation due to age and health conditions.
Pope Francis has been treated at the Gemelli Hospital, here, since mid-February for pneumonia.
Last Friday, he was faced with sudden respiratory problems that required the use of an oxygen mask.
Since being appointed pope in 2013, this is the longest he has been in hospital.
The Vatican now issues updates on its health twice a day.
Pope Francis has had lung problems since a young age.
He had severe pneumonia and had part of his lungs removed when he was young.
On Sunday, a Vatican source said: "Pope Francis' situation is still complex" and "the risk of crisis remains."
In the same development, Pope Francis' cousin, Carla Rabezzana, told CNN that their family is worried about her condition.
Rabezzana said the family was not in direct contact with him but was following his developments through the news.
The last time they spoke on the phone was last Christmas. - CNN
