Pope Francis has received a blood transfusion and is “suffering more than yesterday,†the Vatican confirmed on Saturday (February 22), as concerns over the 88-year-old pontiff’s health continue to grow.
The Pope has now spent over a week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
His condition remains critical, with Vatican officials revealing that he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday morning.
The Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, paid tribute to Pope Francis by projecting his images onto the iconic Obelisk with the message ‘La Ciudad Reza Por Vos’ (The City Prays for You). Credit: Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images
“The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen,†the update read.
Medical tests also detected thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with anemia, which led doctors to perform a blood transfusion.
Doctors Warn He Is “Not Out of Dangerâ€
During a press briefing on Friday, Sergio Alfieri, the head of the Pope’s medical team, confirmed that while Pope Francis is not at immediate risk of death, he is still not out of danger.
“Is he out of danger? No. But if the question is ‘is he in danger of death,’ the answer is ‘no’,†Alfieri stated, Sky News.
Physicians Luigi Carbone (L) and Sergio Alfieri (R) provide an update on Pope Francis. Credit: Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images
Doctors said the Pope is battling a complex infection involving multiple bacteria and viruses in his respiratory tract. While they emphasized that he does not have sepsis, they warned that the infection could still spread—a major concern given his fragile health.
Sepsis, a severe complication of an infection, can lead to organ failure and death, making close monitoring essential.
Pope Francis has a history of respiratory illness, having lost part of one of his lungs to pleurisy as a young man. He also suffered from acute pneumonia in 2023.
Pope Will Miss Sunday Prayers Again
In a brief Saturday morning update, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not lead Sunday’s Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week. He is expected to prepare a written homily for someone else to read in his place.
“Today’s blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions,†The Vatican’s update continued. “The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday.
“At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.â€
While the Vatican has not commented on speculation regarding a possible resignation, concerns over the Pope’s increasingly frail health have fueled discussions about his future leadership.
Extended Hospital Stay Expected
Doctors have stated that Pope Francis is likely to remain in the hospital for at least another week as he recovers.
His medical team noted that he had been suffering from seasonal flu before being hospitalized, and the physical demands of his position had left him severely fatigued.
Millions of Catholics worldwide are closely watching his condition, with continued prayers for his recovery as the Vatican navigates this period of uncertainty.