Pope Francis remains 'critical' and has kidney problem, Vatican says

The Vatican issued a statement on Sunday stating that Pope Francis's condition is currently "serious" but that "there is no further respiratory distress." The Pope's medical team continues to monitor his condition closely.

The statement indicated that the Pope is still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and has received blood transfusions. Blood tests also revealed that he has "initial, mild renal insufficiency" – a kidney problem – "which is currently under control." The Vatican stated that the Pope "continues to be alert and conscious," demonstrating his resilience.

The Pope was taken to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to breathing difficulties, after experiencing symptoms for several days. Upon admission, he was initially diagnosed with bronchitis and subsequently diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Sunday's statement also noted that the Pope's thrombocytopenia – a condition of abnormally low blood platelet count – is stable, suggesting a positive response to treatment.

The statement also mentioned that the Pope "participated in Mass together with the medical and nursing staff who are caring for him" that morning. Given the "complexity of the clinical situation," the Vatican did not provide a prognosis. Previously, the Vatican stated on Saturday that the Pope had experienced respiratory distress and his condition was "serious."

The Pope himself issued a statement earlier on Sunday, requesting Catholics to pray for him. This is the second consecutive week he has been unable to personally lead the traditional Angelus prayer. In his youth, the Pope suffered from pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – and underwent partial lung removal surgery, making him particularly susceptible to pneumonia, a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. During his 12-year tenure, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been hospitalized several times, including in March 2023 at the same hospital for bronchitis treatment. Pope Francis, from Argentina, is the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.