Pope Francis' health has worsened, with the Vatican describing his condition as "critical" for the first time. He has received supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests revealed an anemia-related condition.
Doctors reported that Francis has been battling pneumonia along with a multifaceted respiratory infection, conditions that are expected to keep him in the hospital for at least another week. In a recent update, his personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, noted that while the pope is alert - spending part of his day in an armchair - he is experiencing more pain than the previous day, and his overall prognosis remains reserved.
The primary concern for Francis, who has a history of chronic lung disease, is the potential onset of sepsis - a serious complication that can occur when infections spread to the bloodstream. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of medicine and surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, explained that if pathogens from his respiratory system were to enter the bloodstream, the results could be life-threatening, particularly given the pope’s advanced age and existing respiratory issues.
Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 following a weeklong bout of bronchitis that worsened into a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory infection, subsequently developing into pneumonia in both lungs. His treatment has included a regimen of cortisone and antibiotics, along with supplemental oxygen as needed, with his medical team stressing the importance of “absolute rest.”
Despite his critical condition, updates have noted that Francis slept well overnight, and his medical team continues to monitor him closely. His personal physician warned that even minor setbacks could have significant implications for his fragile health, emphasizing that “it takes very little to become unbalanced.”
Meanwhile, Vatican celebrations associated with the Holy Year proceeded without the pope’s physical presence. Deacons gathered for special Jubilee events, with one deacon from Puerto Rico remarking, “Even though he’s not physically here, we know he’s here. He’s recovering and is in our hearts.”
As the pope’s recovery remains uncertain, Vatican officials and his medical team continue to provide regular updates, while prayers and support for his recovery are being offered from around the world.
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church is preparing for one of its most ancient and secretive traditions: the papal conclave. This process to elect the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church combines centuries-old rituals with modern security measures to ensure
As cardinals prepare to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church, tensions are rising over whether Rome should continue to hold central authority in a rapidly globalizing faith.
As Catholic cardinals prepare to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a key question arises: will the papacy return to an Italian after nearly 50 years of foreign leadership?
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in Washington has been charged with first-degree murder, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the fatal shooting of two embassy staffers in Washington as a vile act of antisemitic violence, intensifying fears of growing hostility toward Israelis abroad amid mounting global tensions.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Meta has signed another major solar energy agreement, acquiring 650 megawatts (MW) of clean power capacity across Kansas and Texas to support the rapid expansion of its AI-driven data centers, the company confirmed Thursday.
Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Thursday that tariffs were a key point of discussion during the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, despite the issue being omitted from the final communique.
Northern France sees major farmer protests as key agricultural reforms face parliamentary review, sparking road blockades and rising tensions.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Baku hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the UN’s GlobE Network, gathering anti-corruption officials from 92 countries to strengthen global cooperation and chart the network’s next steps.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in Washington has been charged with first-degree murder, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the fatal shooting of two embassy staffers in Washington as a vile act of antisemitic violence, intensifying fears of growing hostility toward Israelis abroad amid mounting global tensions.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment