Pope Francis experiences another breathing crisis
Pope Francis experienced two new episodes of acute respiratory distress on Tuesday (AEDT) and was placed back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, according to the Vatican.
Francis had inhaled “copious” amounts of mucus in another setback in what has become a more than two-week battle to overcome a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia, News.Az reports citing foreign media.
In a late update, the Vatican said the episodes were caused by a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms. “Two bronchoscopies were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican said.
Francis remained alert, oriented and cooperated with medical personnel. The prognosis remained guarded.
Francis, 88, denounced the “progressive irrelevance” of international organisations to combat war as he remained at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in stable condition. He was up, had breakfast and was receiving therapies after sleeping “well all night long,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican hasn’t released any photos or videos of Francis since before he entered the hospital on February 14 with a complex lung infection. This has become the longest absence of his 12-year papacy.
The Vatican has provided brief, twice-daily medical updates on his condition, and Francis has begun signing off on documents with “From Gemelli Polyclinic” in an indication that he is up and working.
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