Pope Francis, in a critical condition that fought against double pneumonia, had a “quiet” night, was alert and rested after a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, said the Vatican on Sunday.
The Pope was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days and subsequently had diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican described his condition as critic for the first time on Saturday, informing that Francis, 88, had needed supplementary oxygen and blood transfusions that day after a “prolonged respiratory crisis of asthma.”
“The night was calm, the Pope rested,” said the Vatican in an update of a prayer on Sunday morning without providing more information.
A Vatican official, who did not want to be appointed because he was not authorized to talk about the Pope’s condition, said Francis was awake and alert on Sunday. The Pope was receiving oxygen as necessary through a small tube under the nose, but breathed without help, the official added.
A new update on the Pontiff’s condition is expected on Sunday night after clinical exams during the day.
In a written message for his usual Sunday prayer in the Plaza de San Pedro, that the Pope could not give for the second consecutive week, Francis said he continued “with confidence” with his hospital treatment. He thanked his doctors and people who have sent him messages of support.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told the participants in a mass in the Basilica of San Pedro on Sunday morning that they should do their prayers for Francis “stronger and more intense.”
The Diocese of Rome, which the Pope leads, announced a special mass for Sunday night to pray for Francisco to have “the necessary force to overcome this moment of judgment.”
Double pneumonia is a severe infection that can inflame and cycle both lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the infection of the Pope as “complex”, saying that it is being caused by two or more microorganisms.
Francis, who has been a pontiff since 2013, has suffered episodes of health problems in the last two years. He is particularly prone to pulmonary infections because he developed Pleurisy when he was a young adult and took part in a lung.
Pilgrims pray for Pope
Near the Vatican on Sunday morning, the pilgrims expressed concern about the condition of the Pope.
“I am very, very sad,” said Elvira Romana, from Italy. “I don’t know how you can continue normally at this time.”
Matteo Licari, from Sardinia, said he was “extremely worried.” “Hopefully I can continue living,” Licari said. “We are waiting for me to come back here.”
Outside the Gemelli Hospital, groups of people gathered to pray near a statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was treated in the installation many times during his long papacy.
People left flowers and notes for Francis, and illuminated candles at the base of the late Pope’s memorial.
In a statement on Saturday night, the Vatican said that the Pope’s respiratory crisis had required the administration of “high flow oxygen.”
He said that he had also needed blood transfusions because the tests showed that he had a low platelet count, which is associated with anemia. Platelets are cell fragments in the blood that form clots and stop or avoid bleeding.
In an informative session on Friday, two of his doctors said that the Pope was very vulnerable due to his age and general fragility.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a main member of the Gemelli staff, said there was a risk that lung infection could spread to his bloodstream and become sepsis, which “could be very difficult to overcome.”
