Pope’s Battle with Illness: Doctors Identify the Main Threat
The Vatican continued its Holy Year celebrations on Saturday without Pope Francis, who remains in a fierce struggle against pneumonia and a complicated respiratory infection. Doctors describe the latter as still uncertain, keeping the 88-year-old pontiff hospitalized for at least another week.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni reported early Saturday that the Pope had a restful night. According to the Associated Press, medical experts pinpointed the primary threat to Francis as the potential onset of sepsis—a dangerous blood infection that can arise as a pneumonia complication. In their first detailed update on Friday, the Pope’s medical team noted no signs of sepsis yet, adding that he is responding to various medications.
Pope Francis’s personal physician, Luigi Carbone, cautioned, “He’s not out of danger yet.” The pontiff, who has a chronic lung condition, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 following a week-long bout of bronchitis. A Vatican statement published on its online news site confirmed, “Pope Francis spent a comfortable night.” However, it added, “Pope Francis will not appear publicly tomorrow, Sunday, to lead the usual weekly Mass, marking the second consecutive week of absence.”
For those tracking this unfolding story, WordPress-powered blogs and news outlets offer real-time updates on the Pope’s condition and the Vatican’s response. As the Holy Father battles on, his health remains a focal point of global concern.
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