Vatican said on Sunday, February 23 that Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic church, was still in critical condition and blood tests showed signs of mild renal failure “currently under control.”
According to the Vatican, the pope was admitted to a clinic in Rome on February 14 and was initially tested for respiratory infection. After a later CT scan, the 88-year-old pope was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican statement on Sunday night added that Francis has not shown any further respiratory crisis since last night.
The Vatican said some of his blood tests indicated “the initial, mild, renal failure currently under control”, adding that the pope continued to “stay alert and well-oriented”.
Francis continued to receive oxygen and attended the Holy Community at an apartment on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital on Sunday morning, the statement said. Those who cared for him during their hospital stay also participated in the competition.
“The complexity of the clinical situation, and the necessary waiting for pharmacological therapy to provide some feedback, requires prognosis retention,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican said earlier Sunday that Francis had high oxygen flow after suffering a respiratory crisis, but was at a peaceful night in the hospital. The Vatican said Francis will remain in the hospital after the pneumonia was diagnosed with his lungs and there is no weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, just his Pope for nearly 12 years.
The pope said his treatment continued and thanked the medical staff for their dedication during Sunday’s sermon and sent it to the media in advance.
Earlier this week, the pope’s condition seemed to have improved, with the Vatican describing him as “actively” on Thursday’s medical treatment for pneumonia.
Francis from Argentina is prone to respiratory infections. When he was young, he suffered severe pneumonia, causing some of his lungs to be cleared.
In 2021, doctors also surgically remove part of the colon associated with diverticulitis, which may cause inflammation or infection of the colon. He was hospitalized in 2023 with bronchitis and has two waterfalls in recent months, bruised on his chin and injured his arm and was placed in a suspender.
This is the second longest time Francis has spent in hospital since he was elected as Pope and will break the record on Monday.
