Pope undergoes treatment for respiratory infection, continues hospital stay

Pope Francis has a serious respiratory infection, and doctors say he needs to stay in the hospital for more time. The Vatican shared this update on Monday, raising concerns about the 88-year-old Pope’s health. His condition is described as “complex,” and medical experts are now adjusting his treatment.

The Pope is currently being treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. He was admitted last Friday after his bronchitis became worse. While his fever is now gone, his condition is still not stable enough for him to leave the hospital.

Infection more serious than before

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the Pope is suffering from a "polymicrobial respiratory tract infection." This means that different types of bacteria are causing the illness, making it more complicated to treat. Because of this, doctors have changed his medications.

Bruni did not say how long the Pope would need to stay in the hospital. However, this hospital stay has already been longer than his 2023 hospitalization for pneumonia, when he was discharged after three days. Doctors say his condition requires a proper hospital stay and ongoing medical care.

The Pope’s health has been a concern for years. He had part of one lung removed when he was young due to a severe lung infection. Even though he is 88 years old and has health problems, Pope Francis continues to work long hours. His busy schedule often includes meetings, travel, and public speeches.

When he was hospitalized in 2023, the Pope later admitted that he had been rushed to the hospital because he felt faint and had chest pain. At that time, he was discharged quickly and returned to work soon after. This time, however, the doctors want to keep him under close observation to make sure he recovers properly.

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Pope’s condition is stable

Despite his illness, Pope Francis is still following his usual routine as much as possible. Bruni confirmed that the Pope had breakfast and read the newspapers on Monday morning. He also had a peaceful night and is showing some signs of improvement.

The Pope was initially admitted to the hospital in a “fair” condition, meaning that his situation was not too critical but still required medical attention. He had been dealing with bronchitis for a week before his hospitalization, and when his condition worsened, doctors decided that he needed more advanced treatment.

Since then, the Vatican has been giving regular updates on his health. Doctors have recommended that he take “absolute rest” along with medications. The Pope has been following this advice, but his condition is still being closely monitored.

Because of his illness, Pope Francis has had to cancel several public events. So far, the Vatican has only confirmed cancellations through Monday. He was supposed to visit Rome’s Cinecitta film studios to meet with artists, but this event was called off.

While his private meetings are usually not announced ahead of time, his next public appearance was scheduled for Wednesday. He was also supposed to lead the ordination of new deacons on Sunday as part of a special Catholic Church event.

Right now, it is uncertain whether the Pope will be able to attend these events. The Vatican has not officially removed them from his schedule, but his participation is doubtful. If he is still in the hospital, another senior church official may step in for him, just as a cardinal replaced him at the Jubilee Mass for artists last Sunday.

Pope Francis has always been known for his strong work ethic. Even when he is not feeling well, he continues to fulfill his duties as much as possible. However, his health problems have made it difficult for him to keep up with his usual workload.

Over the years, the Pope has dealt with various health issues, including knee pain that sometimes requires him to use a wheelchair. Despite these challenges, he continues to lead the Catholic Church and participate in major events.

This recent hospitalization has once again raised concerns about his ability to manage his responsibilities. While he has not publicly spoken about his condition, his doctors are making sure he gets the best possible care.