Pope Francis remains critical as Vatican shares latest blood tests
Pope Francis is showing mild signs of kidney failure in his latest blood tests and remains in a critical condition in hospital, battling double pneumonia.
The Vatican said on Monday morning (AEDT) that the 88-year-old Catholic pontiffâs prognosis was still guarded.
Francis was admitted to Romeâs Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days and subsequently had pneumonia diagnosed in both lungs.
The Vatican described his condition as âcriticalâ for the first time on Saturday, reporting that Francis had needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions that day after a âprolonged asthma-like respiratory crisisâ.
âThe condition of the Holy Father remains critical; however, since last night he has not experienced further respiratory crises,â the Vatican said on Monday.
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Blood tests also indicated a âmild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control,â it said.
âThe complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for the pharmacological therapies to show some effect, require that the prognosis remains guarded,â it said.
The statement described the pope as âalert and well-orientedâ and said he was receiving âhigh-flow oxygen therapyâ through a tube under his nose.
In a written message for his usual Sunday prayer in St Peterâs Square, which he was unable to read out for a second consecutive week, Francis said he was continuing âconfidentlyâ with his hospital treatment. He thanked his doctors and people who had sent him messages of support.
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Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told participants at a Mass in St Peterâs Basilica on Sunday they should make their prayers for Francis âstronger and more intenseâ.
The Diocese of Rome, which the pope leads, held a special Mass on Sunday night to pray for Francis, so that he would have âthe strength necessary to get through this moment of trialâ.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the popeâs infection as âcomplexâ, saying it is being caused by two or more microorganisms.
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.
Near the Vatican on Sunday, pilgrims expressed concern for the popeâs condition. Outside Gemelli hospital, groups of people were gathering to pray near a statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was treated at the facility many times during his long papacy.
People left flowers and notes for Francis and lit candles at the base of the late popeâs memorial.
In a statement on Saturday, the Vatican said the pope had needed blood transfusions because tests showed he had a low platelet count, which is associated with anaemia. Platelets are cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding.
In a briefing on Friday, two of his doctors said the pope was highly vulnerable because of his age and general frailty.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli staff, said there was a risk the lung infection could spread to his bloodstream and develop into sepsis, which âcould be very difficult to overcomeâ.
â with AAP
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