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The health of Pope Francis has entered a critical phase after suffering a severe prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis this Saturday, according to the Vatican.
The 88-year-old Supreme Pontiff, has been hospitalized for a week at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he is being treated for a complex lung infection that has led to severe complications.
The Vatican reported that the Pope's condition has deteriorated rapidly in the last few hours.
ThestatementAn official indicates that his condition is "critical," and that so far he is "not out of danger."
The respiratory crisis experienced this Saturday forced the medical team to provide high-flow oxygen to stabilize him.
This is compounded by thrombocytopenia detected in the most recent blood tests, a decrease in the number of platelets that is directly related to severe anemia.
To counteract this situation, the Pope needed blood transfusions.
“El Santo Padre continues to be alert and has spent the day in an armchair, although with more pain than yesterday. For the moment, the prognosis is uncertain, concluded the Press Office of the Holy See.
The risk of serious complications
The primary concern of doctors is the possible development of sepsis, a serious blood infection that could arise as a complication of the pneumonia affecting the Pope.
Until the last report, no signs of this complication had been detected, but experts have warned that the situation could change rapidly.
The Pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, emphasized the fragility of his current condition.
"Like all fragile patients, I say that they are always on the gold scale: in other words, it takes very little to become unbalanced," Carbone pointed out in statements reported by European media.
Hospitalized and under strict observation
Despite his delicate condition, Pope Francis continues to show signs of lucidity.
The Vatican had previously informed that the pontiff managed to sleep well the night before, but his overall condition deteriorated over the hours.
The Pope is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another week as he receives intensive treatment for a lung infection.
Meanwhile, the celebrations organized by the Vatican as part of the Holy Year continue as planned, but without the presence of the pontiff.
Medical history of the Pontiff
Francisco has faced several health issues in recent years.
In June 2023, he underwent surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall.
Previously, in March of that same year, he spent three days in the same hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics for another respiratory infection.
Since his youth, when part of a lung was removed, the Pope has experienced recurring respiratory problems.
Last year, during Holy Week, he was affected by prolonged bronchitis.
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