Vatican: Pope Francis' Condition Worsens Amid Treatment

Pope Francis (88), who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to a lung infection, has experienced further deterioration in his health. On Friday, he faced increased difficulty in breathing, leading doctors to administer high-flow oxygen support. Additionally, medical professionals detected anemia-related complications and performed a blood transfusion.

In an official statement, the Vatican noted that Saturday was more challenging than Friday and stated, “At this moment, we cannot provide any definitive comments.” Doctors confirmed that Pope Francis is suffering from both pneumonia and a severe respiratory infection. They indicated that he is likely to remain hospitalized for at least another week.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis’ personal physician, Luigi Carboni, stated that the pontiff is still not out of danger.

Born in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis’ original name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He became the leader of the Catholic Church in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere.