The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, hospitalized for bronchitis four days ago, does not appear to have an improving prognosis.
Vatican has officially announced the pope’s health situation presents a “complex clinical picture” that will require an extended stay. The condition of the 88-year-old cleric is more severe than initially thought, necessitating more intensive medical care.
Initially, the Vatican cancelled events through Monday. However, it has now been confirmed that the pope’s weekly Wednesday audience is also cancelled.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in treatment,” the Vatican said. “All the tests carried out until now are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalisation.“
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni assured reporters that Pope Francis remains in “good humour,” has rested well, had breakfast, and read newspapers.
Increased Health Concerns
The pope, who had part of his lung removed as a young man, has been susceptible to respiratory infections. He has been receiving oxygen at the hospital, and the news of his complex situation has sent shockwaves down the spines of the Catholic faithful around the world.
Francis admitted to difficulty breathing days before his hospital admission. He had asked aides to read his speeches aloud at his weekly general audience, where he expressed hope to read them himself soon.
Despite his condition, Francis continued to hold meetings, including with Slovakia’s prime minister, shortly before heading to the hospital.
Last year, he missed a Good Friday event due to what the Vatican called a “light flu” but managed to lead Easter services. In March 2023, he spent three nights in the hospital with bronchitis, cured with antibiotics. Another bronchitis bout in December 2023 caused him to cancel a visit to the United Nations COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
In 2021, Francis had surgery for diverticulitis, an inflammation of intestinal pockets, and a hernia operation in June 2023. Persistent knee pain has required the use of a wheelchair since 2022. The pope has also experienced several falls, resulting in bruises on his forearm and jaw.
Resignation Speculation
The pope has left open the option of resigning if he becomes unable to fulfil his duties, following the example of his predecessor, the late Pope Benedict XVI.
In fact, in 2023, the pope once told Mexican broadcast Televisa’s N+ streaming service that the tomb where he would like to rest when he dies was already prepared in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
However, in a memoir published last year, Francis wrote that he did “not have any cause serious enough to make me think of resigning.” He mentioned that resignation is a “distant possibility” and would only be justified by a serious physical impediment.
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