Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia, further complicating his treatment for a respiratory infection, the Vatican said on Tuesday. All public events through Sunday have been cancelled, as the 88-year-old pontiff remains in hospital for ongoing care.
The Vatican confirmed that a CT scan showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy. The condition affects both lungs, making breathing more difficult.
Despite the diagnosis, the Vatican said:
"Pope Francis remains in good spirits."
Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 for a respiratory infection. Doctors have adjusted his medication for the second time as they work to manage a "polymicrobial infection", which involves multiple microorganisms.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the infection is bacterial or viral. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, but viral infections require supportive care.
The pontiff is especially vulnerable to lung infections due to a past lung operation. In his youth, he had part of one lung removed due to pleurisy, a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs.
A Vatican official stated that Francis is breathing on his own and has not been placed on a ventilator.
The Vatican announced the cancellation of all public events through Sunday, including key gatherings for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which expects 32 million pilgrims to visit Rome.
Doctors have not given a timeline for Francis' discharge, stating:
"The Holy Father will remain in hospital for as long as necessary.
Two rockets struck the Kirkuk Air Base and a nearby residential neighbourhood on Monday night, Iraqi security officials said....
Mexican authorities discovered 20 bodies, including several decapitated, on Monday in the western state of Sinaloa, where cartel violence has sharply ...
An oil tanker carrying one million barrels of crude oil exploded near the Libyan coast, Bloomberg reported on 30 June....
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending the U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, the White House confirmed....
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday formally ending U.S. sanctions on Syria, in a major foreign policy reversal th...
Two rockets struck the Kirkuk Air Base and a nearby residential neighbourhood on Monday night, Iraqi security officials said.
Mexican authorities discovered 20 bodies, including several decapitated, on Monday in the western state of Sinaloa, where cartel violence has sharply increased.
An oil tanker carrying one million barrels of crude oil exploded near the Libyan coast, Bloomberg reported on 30 June.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending the U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, the White House confirmed.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
Scientists in Australia and the U.S. have developed an AI tool that could transform cancer care by revealing the hidden diversity of tumour cells and guiding more targeted therapies.
Singapore has launched its largest-ever study on paediatric food allergies, aiming to better understand and address the growing burden of allergic reactions among children.
Bill Gates says his foundation will not compensate for funding shortfalls caused by U.S. and UK aid cuts to global vaccination efforts, warning of rising child mortality as a result.
The world is facing a health financing emergency as global health investment risks falling to its lowest level in a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment