Pope Francis Remains Hospitalized, Condition Still Complex
Rome, July 12, 2021 (Vatican News) – Pope Francis remains hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he has been undergoing treatment for a week. His doctors provided an update on his condition at a press conference on Monday, noting that it is still complex but not life-threatening.
Persistent Lung Infection
Sergio Alfieri, the treating physician at Gemelli, said that the 88-year-old pontiff is still suffering from a bilateral pneumonia, which was diagnosed a few days ago. The infection is being treated with medication, which has been "strengthened" since the diagnosis.
However, Alfieri emphasized that Francis’ condition is not currently life-threatening. He added that there are no signs that the infection has spread to the bloodstream, which would be a serious complication known as sepsis. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death.
Other Health Concerns
Alfieri and Francis’ personal physician, Luigi Carbone, revealed that Francis is also battling an infection with various pathogens. Furthermore, he is susceptible to respiratory illnesses, especially during winter. When he was young, the upper part of his right lung was removed.
Positive Signs
Despite these challenges, Francis is showing signs of improvement. He is now responding to the medication and is gradually regaining mobility within his hospital room. Alfieri reported that the pope has resumed praying in the chapel on the tenth floor of the clinic, which is reserved for papal stays.
Good Spirits
Carbone said that Francis is in good spirits and retains his sense of humor. When Alfieri greeted him with "Good morning, Holy Father" upon entering his room, the pope replied, "Good morning, Holy Son." Alfieri said that Francis has not lost his humor despite his health condition.
Speculation About Resignation
Francis’ prolonged absence from the Vatican has fueled speculation about a possible resignation due to health reasons. Several cardinals have suggested that the pope might consider stepping down if his health were to decline significantly and affect his ability to carry out his duties.
Francis has dismissed such rumors in the past but has indicated that he has signed a letter of resignation to be used only in the event that he becomes incapacitated due to illness. His German predecessor, Benedict XVI, shocked the world by resigning in 2013 and subsequently living in retirement at the Vatican until his death.
Second-Oldest Pope
At 88 years old, Francis is now the second-oldest pope in history. He became the successor to Pope Benedict XVI in March 2013. Only Pope Leo XIII, who was Italian and died in 1903 at the age of 93, has been older than Francis, according to Vatican records. Francis’ predecessor, Joseph Ratzinger, lived to be 95 but resigned years before his death.
Ongoing Monitoring
The doctors treating Francis did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery. They stated that they expect him to remain in the hospital for at least another week and that any potential complications are unpredictable.
