Vatican announces Pope Francis has developed pneumonia while under treatment

A written statement was issued by the Vatican Press Office in the evening regarding the health status of 88-year-old Pope Francis, who has been receiving treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14 due to bronchitis.

According to today's laboratory tests and chest X-ray results, the statement noted that the Pope's clinical condition continues to present a complex picture, and stated the following:

"Corticosteroid and antibiotic treatment is being administered due to a polymicrobial infection that developed on the basis of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, which further complicates the treatment process. This afternoon, a follow-up chest CT scan requested by the Vatican medical team and the team at Gemelli Hospital revealed the development of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological treatment. Despite this, Pope Francis is in good spirits."

The statement expressed that the Pope is spending his time praying and reading texts, and that he is grateful for the support shown to him.

Meanwhile, the Vatican announced that all of Pope Francis's events scheduled for this weekend have been canceled due to the continuation of his complex clinical condition.

Pope Francis had stated during two public events on February 9 and 12 that he had bronchitis and was having difficulty breathing, and as a result, he was unable to deliver speeches and had asked his assistants to read his prepared texts.

The Pope was last treated at Gemelli Hospital twice in 2023, once for complaints of shortness of breath and once for an operation to insert a prosthetic into his abdominal wall.

Pope Francis, who has been the spiritual leader of Catholics since 2013, was first hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in 2021, where he underwent colon surgery.

POPE REMOVES BISHOP FROM OFFICE

In another statement issued by the Vatican, it was reported that the Pope has removed Monsignor Jean-Pierre Blais, who was involved in the administration of the Diocese of Baie-Comeau in Quebec, Canada, from his post.

Reports in the Italian press stated that 75-year-old Blais was included on a list of abusers as part of a class-action lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Quebec.

News Source: AA