Updated Feb 22, 2025 - World

Pope Francis critical after "respiratory crisis," Vatican says

Rebecca Falconer

Pope Francis greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of the Pilgrimage Episcopal Conference of Scandinavia, on February 3, 2025 at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican. — Pope Francis greets people at the end of an audience at the Vatican earlier this month. Photo: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis was in critical condition after an "asthma-like respiratory crisis" the Vatican said on Saturday following its earlier update on his treatment for pneumonia in both his lungs.

The big picture: The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital earlier this month with bronchitis symptoms and his treatment was changed after doctors found he had a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.

What they're saying: "Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions," the Vatican said Saturday.

"The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded."

Catch up quick: The Vatican said the earlier polymicrobial infection arose "in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis" and which required antibiotics, "makes the therapeutic treatment more complex."

A follow-up chest X-ray Tuesday afternoon "demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy," said the Vatican of the pope, who has a history of respiratory health issues.
"The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday," the Vatican said Saturday. "At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded."

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Editor's note: This story has been updated with the pope's latest condition.

Axios' Lauren Floyd contributed reporting.

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Pope Francis critical after "respiratory crisis," Vatican says

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