VATICAN. Pope Francis remains under close medical observation after experiencing breathing difficulties on Friday, a Vatican official confirmed. The official noted that the episode did not last long, and the Pope only required light ventilation using a mask over his nose and mouth to aid his breathing.
Doctors are expected to assess the impact of the incident on the Pope’s overall health within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, he has not been in critical condition for the past two days.
On February 22, Pope Francis suffered what the Vatican described as a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis”, but there had been no similar incidents until Friday. The Pope is prone to lung infections due to a history of pleurisy, which led to the removal of part of one lung when he was a young adult.
Double pneumonia, a severe infection affecting both lungs, can cause inflammation and scarring, making breathing difficult.
Will Not Lead Ash Wednesday Mass
Due to his current condition, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis will not preside over the Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5, which marks the start of Lent’s 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday. Instead, a senior Vatican official will lead the service in his place.
Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis continues to perform his duties as head of the Church. The Vatican has been issuing daily announcements requiring his approval.
On Friday, the Vatican released a letter from the Pope addressed to participants in a Church training course in Rome. The letter was signed with a note stating that it was sent “from Gemelli Hospital.”
Cardinal Michael Czerny, head of the Vatican’s Development Office, told Italy’s La Stampa newspaper, “The Pope is improving, but at a slower pace than we would like.”
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
