VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis suffered a respiratory spasm that led to a sudden worsening of his condition, doctors said on Friday (Feb. 28), after two days of improved reports on the pope’s health. The setback comes on the eve of two full weeks of hospitalization and casts uncertainty on the pope’s recovery.
According to a statement shared by the Vatican, Francis spent his morning doing respiratory physiotherapy and praying in the chapel of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome where he is being treated for bilateral pneumonia. But in the afternoon, he “presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” that led to him inhaling vomit. His doctors quickly proceeded to aspirate the liquid from his lungs and began a non-invasive mechanical ventilation to diminish the carbon dioxide.
The 88-year-old pontiff stayed conscious, according to the statement, and “always remained vigilant and oriented, collaborating in the therapeutic maneuvers.” Doctors added that their diagnosis remains guarded.
After admitting himself to the hospital on Feb. 14, the pope was diagnosed with a polimicrobial infection in both lungs. Doctors said he suffered a severe respiratory crisis on Saturday, and medical tests found a mild failure of his kidney. But in recent days the pope’s condition has seemed to remain stable, with tests showing signs of “slight improvement.” Thursday afternoon’s respiratory crisis confirms the doctors’ assessment that the pope’s preexisting conditions and advanced age have contributed to making his medical situation more dire, although doctors again refrained from referring to Francis’ condition as “critical,” which they stopped doing three days ago.
St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is seen at dusk across the river Tiber in Rome, Italy, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Vatican had already canceled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it is expected that Francis will again forego his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row. Next week’s Ash Wednesday service has been delegated to a cardinal. It remains to be seen whether Francis will be able to participate in Holy Week events in mid-April.
Faithful and Vatican members of the Curia gathered in St. Peter’s Square this week to pray the rosary for the pope’s recovery. The head of the Vatican department on doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, led the rosary prayer on Friday.
The AP contributed to this report.