Pope Francis Suffered Bronchial Spasm, Requires Assisted Ventilation: Vatican

Pope Francis Health Update: Pope Francis, hospitalised since February 14, suffered a coughing fit that led to vomiting and inhalation, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

File photo of Pope Francis.

Source : Getty

Pope Francis Health Update: Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday that resulted in him inhaling vomit and requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said.

Francis, who has spent the past two weeks at Rome's Gemelli hospital, "presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which...led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture", the Vatican said in a statement on Friday evening, AFP reported.

"The Holy Father promptly underwent broncho-aspiration and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response on gas exchange," it said. Francis 'remained alert and oriented at all times, cooperating with the therapeutic manoeuvres', it added.

Quoting a Vatican source, the AFP report said his doctors will monitor him for the next 24 to 48 hours to see if this breathing trouble has worsened his condition or not. It added that the 88-year-old pontiff, who is 'not out of danger', was using an oxygen mask that covers his nose and mouth but was 'in good spirits'.

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Last week, Pope Francis' health deteriorated and his condition was described as critical. The Vatican said the pope remained conscious, received supplemental oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which were needed for clotting.

The pope has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for two weeks, after being admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that triggered other complications.

According to Reuters, the Vatican has not said how long the pope will remain in hospital, but it announced on Friday that Francis would not lead the annual Church service next week to open the Christian season of Lent. The March 5 service, known as Ash Wednesday, starts the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday. It will instead be entrusted to a senior Vatican official.

It was also reported earlier that the Jubilee Audience scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, has been cancelled due to his poor health.

Francis, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health in the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.