Pope Francis on Breathing Machine After Sudden Health Crisis

Pope Francis faces his most serious health crisis yet. The 88-year-old pontiff now relies on a breathing machine while fighting pneumonia in both lungs. His condition took a sudden turn for the worse when he experienced an isolated bronchospasm crisis that led to vomiting complications. Medical teams had to place him on a ventilator with a mask. This marks his longest hospital stay since becoming pope in 2013, stretching almost two weeks from February 14. The situation raises extra concerns because the pontiff’s medical history makes him more susceptible to respiratory problems. He had part of his lung removed during his youth. The Vatican reports he responds well to treatment, though his medical team describes his prognosis as “reserved” and continues to monitor him closely.

Vatican Confirms Pope Experiences Sudden Respiratory Crisis

The Vatican issued an urgent medical update Friday evening about Pope Francis’s critical breathing problems at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The pontiff spent his morning between breathing exercises and prayer in the chapel before a sudden bronchial spasm hit him in the early afternoon.

The situation became serious when the Pope vomited and breathed in some of the contents, which made his breathing condition much worse. The medical team was quick to take action. They cleared his airways through bronchial aspiration and put him on breathing support that didn’t need a tube.

The Holy Father stayed awake and worked with doctors during the whole treatment. His response to the breathing support was good, and his oxygen levels came back to what they were before the crisis.

This breathing crisis happened because the muscles around his airways—connecting his lungs to his windpipe—tightened up and limited his oxygen. This stay at Gemelli Hospital is his fourth and longest so far.

Doctors need about one to two days to understand how this sudden bronchial spasm might affect the Pope’s health. Blood tests also showed he has thrombocytopenia, which means his blood platelet count is low. He needs blood transfusions to boost his hemoglobin.

The Pope seemed to be getting better before this sudden episode. His doctors are careful about making any predictions because his condition is complex. These breathing problems are linked to his medical history – he had part of his lung removed when he was young because of pleurisy.

The Vatican announced that the Pope won’t be at Ash Wednesday celebrations and other Vatican events. Catholic faithful around the world are hosting nightly prayer vigils near St. Peter’s, just as they’ve done whenever popes have fallen ill.

Medical Team Deploys Advanced Treatment Protocols

The medical team at Gemelli Hospital has started a comprehensive treatment plan for Pope Francis’s complex respiratory condition. Recent laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and clinical assessments show a polymicrobial infection among other conditions like bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis. A follow-up chest CT scan revealed bilateral pneumonia, which required changes to his drug therapy protocol.

The Pope’s treatment plan has corticosteroids and antibiotics to curb multiple infections in his respiratory system. The combination therapy raised his blood sugar levels, making diabetes management necessary. The medical staff keeps a close watch on his vital signs with a nasal cannula that provides extra oxygen when needed.

Recent complications led doctors to give high-flow oxygen therapy after they found a long asthmatic respiratory crisis. Blood tests showed thrombocytopenia, so they quickly gave blood transfusions to fix low platelet counts needed for blood clotting. The situation remains critical, but Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who leads the Pope’s medical team, says that while the Pope isn’t out of immediate danger, his life isn’t at risk.

The treatment plan targets three main concerns:

• Managing the complex respiratory infection that has bacterial, viral, and fungal components
• Stopping the infection from reaching the bloodstream to prevent sepsis
• Keeping oxygen levels stable through specialized breathing support

Dr. Luigi Carbone and the medical team adjust treatments based on daily evaluations. The Pope’s chronic bronchitis damaged his airways permanently, causing bronchiectasis that makes recovery harder. Yet he stays alert and strong enough to do chest physiotherapy that helps clear fluid from his lungs.

The doctors expect the Pope will need to stay in hospital for at least another week to ensure he responds well to the improved drug therapy. He continues some work from his hospital room, showing resilience despite these complex medical challenges.

Hospital Transforms into Vatican’s Command Center

Pope John Paul II nicknamed Rome’s Gemelli Hospital “Vatican III,” and now it serves as a temporary papal command center while Pope Francis receives treatment. The hospital holds special importance as the preferred healthcare facility for popes, with a custom-designed papal apartment on its top floor.

The Vatican runs its daily operations naturally from this temporary base. The Vatican’s second-in-command, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, meets with the Pope to discuss important matters. Francis stays involved in Vatican affairs and has approved major decisions. He gave the green light to advance five people toward beatification and named two new saints.

The papal suite, built in 1981, gives the pontiff space to lead effectively. Italian and Vatican police guard the corridor leading to the apartment. The space has a meeting room for medical staff, kitchen facilities, and a private chapel. This setup allows Francis to carry out his papal duties while doctors monitor his health.

The hospital now serves both medical and spiritual purposes. Prayer services start at noon with an hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the St. John Paul II Chapel, followed by Mass. People gather in the hospital square at 4:30 p.m. to say the Rosary near St. John Paul II’s statue. Mass takes place at 5:00 p.m. in the Hospital Hall.

The Vatican press office keeps everyone informed through detailed bulletins twice daily about the Pope’s health. Meanwhile, about 70 Vatican departments and offices continue their regular work. Though some papal audiences have been canceled, thousands of pilgrims still visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums daily.

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga visited the Pope and praised his steadfast dedication, highlighting “everything he did for the church, with a great love of Jesus”. The pontiff’s commitment shows through his ongoing work, as he keeps in touch with a parish in Gaza City during his hospital stay.

Pope Francis faces his toughest medical challenge since becoming pontiff. Doctors closely monitor his respiratory condition at Gemelli Hospital. The medical teams show their expertise through a detailed treatment plan that combines advanced breathing support with careful monitoring of other complications. The Vatican continues its operations naturally from the hospital’s papal apartment, showing the institution’s strength during this difficult time.

The pontiff stays involved in church affairs despite needing ventilator support. His complex respiratory problems stem from previous lung surgery and current bilateral pneumonia. The medical team remains hopeful but recognizes the serious nature of his condition.

The sophisticated medical capabilities at Gemelli Hospital and the Catholic community’s spirit shine through this health crisis. People worldwide continue their vigils and prayers for their spiritual leader. This situation proves how the renowned institution balances papal leadership with proper medical care, drawing from decades of experience.