Pope Francis, currently hospitalized for Pneumonia, is not yet out of danger and will remain in the hospital for at least another week, his doctor confirmed on Friday.
In a press conference at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the team treating Pope Francis, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, Vice-Director of the Vatican’s healthcare service, addressed a room full of journalists for about forty minutes.
The Pope's medical team stated that while the Holy Father is not in immediate danger of death, he is still not completely out of danger.
Furthermore, his doctors clarified that while the Pope is not on a ventilator, he is still experiencing difficulty with his breathing, which has resulted in limited physical movement.
On February 18, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs.
This comes after he was admitted to the hospital for bronchitis treatment and additional diagnostic tests.
In the latest update from his doctors, Pope Francis is sitting upright in a chair, working, and joking as usual. Dr. Alfieri mentioned that when one of the doctors greeted the Pope, he responded warmly.
However, doctors are concerned that germs in the Pope’s respiratory tract could enter his bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis.
Dr. Alfieri conveyed confidence that Pope Francis will eventually be discharged from the hospital and return to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, but he acknowledged that the Pope's chronic respiratory problems will remain.
