Pope Francis had 'isolated breathing crisis' Vatican says, in setback to pontiff's health

The Vatican stated that Pope Francis experienced an "isolated respiratory crisis" in the hospital, a setback for the 88-year-old pontiff who is battling double pneumonia. The Pope had previously experienced "vomiting accompanied by aspiration, and a sudden deterioration in his respiratory condition." This incident has raised concerns about his overall health and recovery process.

The Vatican stated that "this afternoon... the Holy Father experienced an isolated episode of bronchospasm," describing a constriction of the Pope's airways, similar to an asthma attack. Subsequently, he received assisted treatment with "non-invasive mechanical ventilation." The statement also noted that the Pope "is alert and conscious" and is continuing to receive treatment. Doctors are closely monitoring his condition to prevent further complications.

Prior to today's update, there had been three days of more positive news, with the Vatican previously stating that the Pope had shown "slight improvement" in fighting a "complex" infection caused by two or more microorganisms. A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Pope's breathing problems on Friday did not last long. They also stated that the ventilation treatment the Pope received involved using a lightweight mask covering his nose and mouth, and doctors expect it will take 24-48 hours to assess how this incident will affect his clinical condition. Over the past two days, the Pope's condition has not reached a critical state.

The Pope has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for two weeks since February 14, when a severe respiratory infection triggered other complications. On Friday, Catholics gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, some holding rosaries, candles, and religious images, to pray for Pope Francis. Maria Rita, a believer from Palermo, said: "The whole world needs him because he is a man of peace, and the world needs peace." She described Francis as a great Pope and a "revolutionary figure." Rosemary Obiekosi, a tourist from Nigeria, also expressed her prayers for the Pope's recovery. "Besides him being a Pope, he is also a human being. So you don't want people to be sick," she said.

The Vatican has not said how long the Pope will remain in the hospital, but announced on Friday that Francis will not preside over the annual church rituals next week to mark the start of Christianity's Lenten season. The March 5 ceremony, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the 40-day period of fasting before Easter. The ceremony will be presided over by a senior Vatican official in his place. Francis, who has served as Pope since 2013, is often described as overworked, and he has been leading the Vatican's work from the hospital. On Friday, the Vatican released a letter from the Pope to participants in a training course for the Church of Rome, signed by Francis and with a note saying the letter was sent "from Gemelli Hospital." Francis has been ill several times in the past two years. He is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young man and had part of a lung removed. Double pneumonia is a serious infection of both lungs that can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing.