File Photo: Pope Francis leads a prayer service of Vespers at the East Feast of the Lord’s Presentation at St. Peter’s Cathedral on February 1, 2025.
Ciro de Luca | Reuters
Pope Francis, who is battling double pneumonia in the hospital, took a “quiet” night to rest, the Vatican said Sunday.
After experiencing dyspnea for several days, the Pope was admitted to Gemeri Hospital in Rome on February 14th, and later diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican first described his condition as critical on Saturday, with 88-year-old Francis reporting that supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions were needed that day.
“The night was quiet and the Pope rested,” the Vatican said in a one-sentence update on Sunday morning without providing further information.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflam and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican describes the Pope’s infection as “complex,” saying it is caused by two or more microorganisms.
Francis, who has been a pope since 2013, has suffered from illness health over the past two years. He developed into the pleura as a young adult and removed a part of one lung, making him particularly susceptible to pulmonary infections.
In a statement Saturday evening, the Vatican said the Pope “suffered from a “long-term asthma-like respiratory crisis” that required high-flow oxygen control.
The tests showed a low platelet count associated with anemia, so a blood transfusion was required. Platelets are cell fragments in the blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding.
At a briefing on Friday, two of his doctors said the Pope was extremely vulnerable due to his age and general frailty.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of Gemelli’s staff, said there is a risk that a pulmonary infection could spread into his bloodstream and lead to sepsis.
