Newsroom
Pope Francis has suffered another setback in his fight against pneumonia, experiencing two acute respiratory crises on Monday that required doctors to place him back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican announced.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling a complex respiratory infection for over two weeks, underwent two bronchoscopies — a procedure where doctors used a tube with a suction device to remove “copious” amounts of mucus from his lungs. The Vatican reassured that the mucus was a lingering reaction to the initial infection and not a sign of new bacteria, based on lab test results.
Despite the health scare, Pope Francis remained alert and cooperative with medical staff, though the prognosis is still guarded. The crises mark another hurdle for the pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth. Doctors have not confirmed if his condition is stable but referred to the episodes in the past tense, hinting that they may have been brought under control.
Pulmonary experts note that the need for bronchoscopies indicates a worrying build-up of secretions that the pope’s body is struggling to clear on its own. Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary specialist in Chicago, said the situation suggests Francis lacks the muscle strength to expel mucus through coughing — a common issue for patients with limited mobility or underlying lung problems.
The pope, who uses a wheelchair and has been receiving respiratory physiotherapy, was initially placed on noninvasive ventilation last week after inhaling vomit during a coughing fit. He had briefly come off the machine, but the latest setbacks forced doctors to resume the treatment, which delivers oxygen through a mask to ease breathing.
As speculation grows over the pope’s health, the Vatican has defended his decision to recover out of the public eye. The last time Francis was seen in public was on February 14, making this the longest absence of his papacy. However, one of his closest aides, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, urged him to let his voice be heard, describing him as a leader the world needs now more than ever.
Francis sent a written message on Monday to a Vatican bioethics conference, warning of the dangers of nationalism and the weakening of international cooperation. The letter was signed “from Gemelli Polyclinic,” the hospital where he has been receiving treatment.
Catholic teaching upholds the right of patients to refuse extraordinary medical treatments that merely prolong suffering. Francis himself has spoken about the importance of avoiding “overzealous treatment” in end-of-life care — a principle that could come into play if his condition deteriorates.
For now, the pope continues his recovery in private, offering what Archbishop Paglia called an “extraordinary teaching on fragility” — reminding the faithful that vulnerability is part of the human condition.
*With information from AP News
