Pope Francis. Photo Credit Flickr Catholic Church (England and Wales)
The Holy See Press Office has said that the Pope’s condition is “complex”.
It has been announced that Pope Francis has double pneumonia, but nevertheless “remains in good spirits.” The Pope has undergone “Laboratory tests and chest X-rays” to find out what was causing him to struggle breathing in the run up to being hospitalised Friday, February 14, he has remained in hospital. The Holy See Press Office have also said that “the clinical condition of the Holy Father continues to present a complex picture.” The diagnosis of double pneumonia is the latest update since the Pope was hospitalised to receive treatment for bronchitis.
What is double pneumonia?
Often caused by infection Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung, caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus. The inflammation is caused when the sacs in lungs called alveoli become inflamed and fill with liquid. Double Pneumonia affects both lungs.
Going into detail, the Holy See Press Office explained that the Pope has a “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”
On Tuesday, February 18 the Pope was given a chest CT scan and the scan revealed “the onset of the bilateral pneumonia”. They have also said that it will require additional pharmacological therapy. He has been surrounded by his own Vatican medical team but is also being treated by the medical staff at the A. Gemelli Polyclinic Foundation, in Rome.
The Pope is thankful for support and prayers
The Press Office went on to say that the Pop had spent his day between resting, praying and reading. They said he had received the Eucharist and that he “expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”
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