Pope Francis has made a surprising recovery after surviving life-threatening double pneumonia, according to his doctor. Dr. Sergio Alfieri reported that the 88-year-old pope is “very lively” and has shown significant improvement since returning to convalesce at the Vatican.
Francis was hospitalized for five weeks after developing bronchitis, which turned into double pneumonia, and required treatment for a polymicrobial respiratory infection. The complex condition made his recovery uncertain, but Alfieri said he didn’t think the pope would make it after a severe respiratory crisis.
The doctor revealed that Francis gave his consent for life-saving treatment that could have put his organs at risk, including damaged kidneys or bone marrow producing damaging red blood cells. However, no extraordinary measures were taken to extend his life.
Francis is now receiving physical, respiratory, and speech therapy as he continues to battle a lingering fungal infection, which will take months to resolve. His doctor plans to visit him weekly at the Vatican.
Despite concerns about overreliance on oxygen and limited mobility, Alfieri expressed optimism about Francis’s recovery, saying he believes the pope will return to 90% of his pre-hospital condition.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/doctor-cites-popes-surprising-improvement-after-surviving-life-120292633