Pope Francis underwent two new episodes of acute respiratory distress on Monday, prompting two bronchoscopies, the Vatican said. His 88-year-old pope continues to battle pneumonia and is on his 18th day in the hospital—the longest during his papacy.
The conditions were the result of an acute mucus buildup in the airways, leading to bronchospasm, a Vatican press release explained. The pope was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which subsequently developed into pneumonia in both lungs, creating worldwide concern about the health of the pope.
In its most recent health bulletin, the Vatican revealed that the pope had the bronchoscopies to address the accumulation of secretions. Following the procedures, the pope was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation via an oxygen mask. Despite the challenge, he was alert, oriented, and cooperative.
The Vatican has always described the pope’s prognosis as “reserved,” meaning there is no certainty about his condition. Just last night, authorities stated that his condition stabilized after experiencing a breathing crisis on Friday.
During the weekend, the pope required an oxygen mask both on Friday and Saturday but was sufficiently well to go to mass on Sunday, spending the day between prayer and rest. He also received visits from senior officials, including Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra and Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since March 2013, is being treated in a special pontiff suite on the 10th floor of the Gemelli. He missed his customary Angelus prayer for the third consecutive Sunday, prompting the Vatican to release a written message in his stead.
During the message, the pope also appreciated the expressed solidarity and said, “I sense all your love and closeness, and now especially, at this specific moment, I have the impression I am ‘brought’ and supported by God’s entire people. Thank you all.”
