Pope Francis was hospitalized for more than a week and was in critical condition after a “long-term respiratory crisis similar to asthma.”
The Vatican revealed this in a statement released on Saturday, February 22.
The Pope “is more uncomfortable than yesterday. The situation of the Father is still crucial. The Pope is not dangerous.” The statement reads in part.
The 88-year-old pope was hospitalized for bronchitis at Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on February 14, and was later diagnosed with most bacterial infections and received bipneumonia. The Vatican first announced that he had bronchitis on February 6.
The Vatican said on Saturday that he also needs blood transfusions due to anemia and high flow of oxygen. Still, the Pope was agile and sat in an armchair for most of the day.
The Vatican said his prognosis was still “protected”.
