- Pope Francis diagnosed with double pneumonia
- Vatican says pope's condition is complex
- All public engagements cancelled through Sunday due to pope's health
Pope Francis is suffering from the onset of double pneumonia, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, marking a further decline in the 88-year-old pontiff’s fragile health. This new development complicates ongoing treatment for the pope, who has been battling a respiratory infection for more than a week.
The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing symptoms of the respiratory infection. On Tuesday afternoon, a chest CAT scan revealed “the onset of bilateral pneumonia,” a serious condition that requires additional pharmacological therapy, according to the Vatican’s statement.
Bilateral pneumonia is a severe infection that can cause inflammation and scarring in both lungs, making breathing increasingly difficult.
“Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican stated, noting that the pope is dealing with a “polymicrobial infection,” which necessitates a combination of corticosteroids and antibiotics. The statement also emphasized that this dual treatment approach is “making treatment more challenging.”
Despite these challenges, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis remains in good spirits. The pope is particularly susceptible to lung infections due to a medical history that includes pleurisy and the removal of part of one lung when he was a young adult.
A Vatican official, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, clarified earlier in the day that the pope has not been placed on a ventilator and continues to breathe on his own.
Following the announcement of the pope’s diagnosis, the Vatican confirmed that all public engagements on his calendar have been canceled through Sunday. The pope had been scheduled to lead several events for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which will run through next January.
On Monday, the Vatican had also reported that doctors had altered the pope’s medication for the second time during his hospital stay to address the “complex clinical situation” he faces.
A polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, are involved in the infection.
The Vatican has indicated that Pope Francis will remain in the hospital for as long as necessary. In recent years, the pope has faced numerous health issues, including repeated bouts of flu, sciatica nerve pain, and an abdominal hernia that required surgery in 2023.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Vatican conveyed that Pope Francis is deeply grateful for the support he has received. “With a thankful heart, (he) asks for continued prayers on his behalf,” the statement concluded.
