- Pope Francis remains in critical condition, with the Vatican saying that he is showing early signs of kidney failure. Doctors, meanwhile, say his health is under control.
- The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented, but the “prognosis remains guarded.”
- Pope Francis was admitted to a Roman hospital Feb. 14 with difficulty breathing. He has since been diagnosed with double pneumonia.
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On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Vatican reported Pope Francis is showing signs of kidney failure. However, doctors say it is under control.
According to the Holy See, “The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented. The complexity of the clinical situation and the necessary time for the pharmacological treatments to show results require that the prognosis remain guarded.”
Since Saturday, Francis has not suffered another respiratory crisis but is still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen.
The Vatican added that Pope Francis was able to participate in mass on Sunday with those taking care of him at the hospital.
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Cardinal Dolan responds
On Saturday, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan told Fox News it wasn’t looking good for the pontiff.
“Look, we gotta be kind of realistic. When you get double pneumonia in anybody, you’re worried,” said Dolan. “When you got double pneumonia in an 88 year-old-man, who has only got 75% of his lung capacity and is struggling with arthritis and a bunch of stuff, it’s not looking good.”
Then, during Sunday’s homily, Dolan offered an even grimmer outlook, saying, “Our Holy Father Pope Francis is in very, very fragile health, and probably close to death.”
Pope battling multiple health issues
The 88-year-old was admitted to a Roman hospital on Feb. 14 with difficulty breathing. He has since been diagnosed with double pneumonia.
On Friday, Feb. 21, Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pontiff’s physician, said Francis was responding to a drug therapy that was “strengthened” after the pneumonia was diagnosed earlier this week.
Doctors first reported Francis was fighting an infection caused by bacteria, a virus and fungus in the respiratory tract –– this later turned into a pneumonia diagnosis.
As of now, doctors say there is no evidence the germs have entered his bloodstream. That condition is known as sepsis, which can lead to organ failure and death.
As the faithful continue to pray in front of Gemelli Hospital, doctors say the pontiff’s condition remains touch-and-go.
