Ailing Pope Francis Suffers Breathing ‘Crisis’, Vatican Says

The incident occurred just hours after a Vatican source declared that, after a string of minor improvements, the 88-year-old pope's condition was no longer deemed critical.

The Vatican stated in a statement on Friday night that Francis, who has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for the last two weeks, "presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which… led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture."

"With a good response on gas exchange, the Holy Father underwent broncho-aspiration and started non-invasive mechanical ventilation right away," the report stated.

It further stated that Francis "cooperatively cooperated with the therapeutic manoeuvres, remaining alert and oriented at all times."

According to a Vatican source, his physicians stated it would take the next 24 to 48 hours to determine whether or not his respiratory issues have made his condition worse.

The insider also stated that the pope, who is "not out of danger," was "in good spirits" despite wearing an oxygen mask that covers his mouth and nose.

According to the source, he also responded better than others in his situation.

On February 14, the pope was admitted to the hospital due to breathing problems, but his condition worsened and he developed pneumonia in both lungs, which raised concerns.

He suffered a breathing attack at the weekend but since then appeared to have been getting slightly better, with the Vatican releasing more optimistic medical updates.

It has not yet modified the pope’s prognosis of “reserved”, however, which means doctors will not predict changes in his health.

Medical experts have warned that Francis’s age and the chronic respiratory disease from which he suffers mean a sustained recovery could take time.

The pope, head of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics, had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man and has suffered increasing health problems in recent years.

He has to use a wheelchair since he is prone to bronchitis and has knee and hip problems.

Francis, however, has persisted in working from the unique hospital suite located on the tenth floor of the Gemelli.


The Vatican claims that Jesus has also been practicing breathing techniques between prayers and rests.

This is the Argentine's fourth and longest hospital visit during his nearly 12-year pontificate.

He has undergone colon surgery, a hernia operation, and a hospitalization for bronchitis in the past few years.

Given how busy Francis has been with papal responsibilities throughout the holy Jubilee year celebrations, there have been rumors that he may now step down.

According to Italian Vatican expert Marco Politi, "if the pope survives, many imagine that he will want to finish the Jubilee year but that afterwards, when he is 89, he will face the question of whether or not to resign," AFP reported.

Francis has consistently expressed interest in succeeding Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to health and mental issues.

Francis, however, had stated on several occasions before to his hospitalization that it was not yet the time and might never be.

AFP