VATICAN City – Pope Francis spent his ninth night in the hospital peacefully, the Vatican announced Sunday, following confirmation that the 88-year-old pontiff remained in a “critical” condition.
On Saturday, the pope experienced a prolonged respiratory attack, requiring blood transfusions.
Despite his condition, he was reportedly alert and sitting in a chair.
However, the Vatican cautioned that his prognosis remained uncertain, heightening concerns among the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
A Sunday morning update from the Vatican was brief, stating, “The night passed peacefully, the pope rested.” However, a Vatican source later disclosed that unlike previous days, Pope Francis did not eat breakfast or read the newspapers.
CONDITIONS WORSEN AMID ONGOING TREATMENT
The pope was initially admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 for bronchitis, which later progressed to double pneumonia.
While doctors had previously indicated slight improvement, they warned on Friday that he was “not out of danger.”
By Saturday evening, concerns intensified as the Vatican confirmed that the pope’s condition remained critical.
Earlier that morning, he suffered a “prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis,” requiring high-flow oxygen support.
Blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia—an abnormally low platelet count—combined with anemia, necessitating blood transfusions.
This condition poses a significant risk of excessive bleeding and can be life-threatening.
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS FROM THE CATHOLIC WORLD
The pope’s deteriorating health has drawn significant attention, with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera headlining, “The pope gets worse,” and La Repubblica calling it the Vatican’s “darkest day.”
Medical experts warned that the coming hours and days would be critical in determining his recovery.
Due to his condition, Pope Francis was unable to deliver his usual Sunday Angelus prayer and a senior prelate was assigned to celebrate a special mass for the Jubilee 2025 in his place.
Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Rino Fisichella assured the faithful, “Even though he is in a hospital bed, we feel him close to us.”
Meanwhile, Cardinal Baldo Reina invited believers to join him in a special Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, praying for the pope’s strength during this “moment of trial.”
