The Vatican said that Pope Francis had a rapid respiratory setback on Friday as a result of an isolated bronchospasm.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, had an episode of vomiting that resulted in aspiration, aggravating his condition, according to a Holy See Press Office statement released on February 28.
Doctors immediately performed bronchial aspiration to clear the pope's airways and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation. The Vatican reported that the procedure increased the pontiff's oxygen levels.
Despite the respiratory crisis, the pope remained attentive and focused throughout the ordeal, working with medical personnel. However, the Vatican warned that he is still in danger, and the next 24 to 48 hours will be key in determining the impact of the incident on his recuperation.
“The prognosis, therefore, remains guarded,” the Holy See Press Office said.
Earlier in the day, prior to the bronchospasm, the pope alternated between respiratory therapy and prayer in the hospital chapel. He also received Eucharist.
This isn't the Pope's first setback since being hospitalized nearly three weeks ago. On Saturday, he had a protracted asthma attack that necessitated the use of high-flow oxygen.
In response to today's incident, physicians provided the pope with a non-invasive mask to help him breathe rather than placing a breathing tube into his airway. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is often delivered via a face mask, nasal mask, or helmet.
“Thanks to non-invasive mechanical ventilation, gas exchange values are reported to have returned to levels similar to those before the episode,” the Vatican said in the Feb. 28 statement.
As a young man, the pope had surgery to remove a portion of one lung due to a serious pulmonary illness, and he has since been prone to periodic bouts of bronchitis, particularly during the winter.
Given his elderly age, weak health, and long-standing respiratory troubles, there are concerns about the potential ramifications if his condition worsens, prompting doubts about the Vatican's next steps if he becomes unconscious or disabled.
On February 18, the Vatican acknowledged that the pope had contracted pneumonia in both lungs, describing his condition as complex based on laboratory testing, thoracic X-rays, and clinical assessments.
By February 22, Vatican officials claimed that the pontiff was still in critical condition and "not out of danger."
The Vatican news office announced on Thursday that, while the pope remained on high-flow oxygen therapy, his condition showed "slight improvement."
As word of Pope Francis' health problems spread, global leaders and religious people continued to offer prayers and well wishes. Earlier on Friday, Vice President JD Vance spoke about the pope's condition at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, joining guests in prayer for his recovery.
