The Vatican announced Tuesday, February 18 that Pope Francis had developed pneumonia in both lungs after the new test.
The pope’s respiratory infection also involves asthma bronchitis.
“Laboratory testing, chest X-rays and the clinical status of the Holy Father continue to present complex situations,” the Vatican said.
When Pope Francis was young, his right upper lobe was removed.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that despite this, the pope remained in good spirits.
After a week of worsening bronchitis, he was admitted as a “fair” condition on Friday, February 14 in the “fair” situation on February 14.
On Monday, February 17, medical staff determined that he had most respiratory infections, meaning a mixture of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms had colonized his respiratory tract.
“A follow-up chest CT scan performed by the Holy Father this afternoon demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia and needed further medication,” Bruni said.
The Vatican also said Pope Francis had breakfast every day, read newspapers and worked in his ward.
There is no indication of how long the Pope may be hospitalized, except that his treatment (which already requires two changes to his medication regimen) will need to be “enough” to stay in the hospital.
