Pope Francis Experiences ‘Isolated’ Breathing Crisis

Ailing Pope Francis began noninvasive ventilation on Friday after experiencing a respiratory crisis leading to what the Vatican termed a “sudden worsening” of his condition.

According to a Friday February 28 medical bulletin from the Holy See, after a morning spent in prayer, receiving the Eucharist, and doing respiratory physiotherapy, Pope Francis experienced in the early afternoon “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm”.

This is a tightening of the muscles that line the airways in the lungs, causing wheezing and coughing.

The Vatican sources disclosed that the incident led to “an episode of vomiting with inhalation”, thus aggravating his breathing.

The Holy See stated that after his airways were suctioned, he was put on a noninvasive mechanical ventilator “with a good response on gas exchange,” adding that Pope Francis remained “alert and oriented” and cooperative throughout the procedures.

Friday marked two weeks the 88-year-old Catholic Pontiff has been in the hospital, suffering from double pneumonia, bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory conditions.

In the two weeks since Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, doctors have continuously refrained from giving a prognosis, emphasising that the situation is “complex.”

The Holy See Press Office had said on Thursday that the Pope’s health was “improving” under oxygen and respiratory physiotherapy treatment, even as he continues to do work from the hospital.

Vatican sources say the Pope’s doctors need 24-48 hours to determine whether there has been any damage or set back to his condition.

For now they are not giving any prognosis, as they insist the Pope had remained alert and “in good spirits”.