The Vatican said Pope Francis had rested and the night had “passed peacefully” after revealing on Saturday that his condition continues to be “critical” as he suffers from a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis”.
The pontiff was described as “more unwell” than on Friday and he has received blood transfusions.
The 88-year-old is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
The blood transfusions were deemed necessary due to a low platelet count, associated with anaemia, the Vatican said.
It said the Roman Catholic leader was alert and in his armchair, but required a “high flow” of oxygen and his prognosis “remains guarded”.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” it said in a statement. “The Pope is not out of danger.”
It added: “The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair even if he was suffering more than yesterday.”
The Pope has asked for openness about his health, so the Vatican has begun releasing daily statements.
The tone and length of the announcements has varied, sometimes leaving Pope-watchers to attempt to read between the lines.
But this is by far the starkest assessment yet and it is unusually detailed. It declines to give any prognosis.
It comes just a day after doctors treating the Pope said for the first time that he was responding to medication, although they were clear that his condition was complex. They said on Friday that the slightest change of circumstance would upset what was called a “delicate balance”.
The Pope was first admitted to hospital on Friday, February 14 after experiencing difficulties breathing for several days.
He is prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy – an inflammation around the lungs – as an adult and having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
Tags: