The Vatican has made a new update on Pope Francis’ health after placing Pope Francis on a ventilator after suffering an “isolated” breathing crisis.
The Vatican announced in a statement that the 88-year-old pope did not suffer any new breathing attacks today and was in a stable condition.
“The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains stable,” the statement said.
“He alternates between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long supplementary high flow oxygenation, maintaining a good response to gas exchange.
‘The Holy Father has no fever, no leukocytosis [high white blood cell count].
His hemodynamic parameters remained stable; he continued to eat by himself, received regular respiratory physiotherapy, and actively collaborated. He has not experienced other attacks of bronchospasm.
The Father remains vigilant and directed. He received the Eucharist on Saturday afternoon and then devoted himself to praying.
“The prognosis is still protected.”
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation was performed on Friday at the doctor at the Rome Jegili Hospital after suffering a cough in the vomit. The event led to a “sudden deterioration of the breathing chart”.
The doctor pulled out the vomit and placed Francis on a non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
The Pope always remains conscious and alert and works with the action to help him recover. The Vatican said he has good oxygen exchange levels and is continuing to wear a mask to receive supplemental oxygen.
The episode marks a setback after the growing upwards of optimistic reports from doctors who have been treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14.
Part of the pope was removed when he was young, who suffered from lung disease and was accepted after two times of bronchitis in his lungs deteriorated and turned into pneumonia.
The Vatican said the incident was different from the long-term respiratory crisis on February 22 because it was an isolated spasm that caused Francis to attract the vomit he produced.
Dr. John Coleman, pulmonary intensive care physician at Northwestern Medicine, said: “Given that the pope has been in the hospital for more than two weeks and now he is continuing these respiratory events, and now there is this desire event that requires higher support.
“So, given his age, his vulnerability and his previous pulmonary resection, it is very worrying.”
