Pope Francis suffered two new acute respiratory crises on Monday, forcing him to return to noninvasive mechanical ventilation. This marks the latest setback in his nearly two-week battle with pneumonia.
The Vatican reported that doctors extracted “copious” amounts of mucus from Pope Francis’ lungs during bronchoscopies, indicating a significant accumulation of secretions and bronchial spasms. The use of bronchoscopies reflects the concerning level of mucus and phlegm in his lungs, suggesting he is not clearing it on his own.
Pope Francis has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed, making him more susceptible to respiratory issues. Despite this, he remained alert and cooperative with medical personnel during the procedures.
The Vatican released a statement saying the episodes were caused by the accumulation of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms. Pope Francis was put back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, a mask that covers his nose and mouth and pumps oxygen into the lungs.
While the prognosis remains guarded, doctors say he is taking “little steps forward” but also experiencing setbacks. The Vatican has defended Francis’ decision to recover in peace and out of the public eye, while one of his closest friends at the Vatican urged him to use his voice to speak for those who need it most.
Francis had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to improve his lung function, but the accumulation of secretions indicates he doesn’t have enough muscle tone to cough vigorously enough to expel the fluid. The 88-year-old pope’s health has become a concern for many, including Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who called on Francis to share his message with the world.
The Vatican has released few updates since Pope Francis’ hospitalization began on February 14, but this latest development marks another challenge in his fight against pneumonia.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-65b0457c46d7de722305260079c3bb87