Pope has pneumonia in both lungs

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Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs and remains hospitalized in Rome after a respiratory tract infection, painting a "complex picture" of his health, the Vatican said Tuesday.

A follow-up CT scan of the pontiff, 88, revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which the Vatican said is requiring additional medications.

"Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits," his press office said in a statement.

The Vatican announced Monday that Francis was sick with a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, three days after he was admitted to Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, one of Italy's largest hospitals, for treatment of bronchitis. Preliminary tests showed he had a respiratory tract infection and a slight fever.

Testing over the past days paints a "complex clinical picture," the Vatican said Monday, and he'll need to remain in the hospital for an "appropriate" amount of time.

The Vatican said Tuesday that the pope's polymicrobial infection has "arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics," which "makes the therapeutic treatment more complex."

Polymicrobial diseases are caused by combinations of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to the National Library of Medicine.

The Vatican had canceled his audiences as he recuperates. The Vatican said he received the Eucharist on Tuesday and alternated between rest, prayer and reading.

"He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue," his press office said.

Francis has contended with repeated health issues in recent years, including from influenza and respiratory infections. In 2021, he underwent surgery to address diverticulitis, or a painful inflammation in the intestine, and again in 2023 to repair a hernia.

Last month, he wore a sling on his arm after falling at his residence, weeks after bruising his face in a fall.

Francis, the leader of the world's nearly 1.4 billion Catholics since 2013, often uses a wheelchair because of back and knee pain.

^ Yeah, and I hope the next one is better with LGBTQ+ issues or at the very least can avoid making homophobic comments. Maybe my expectations are unreasonably high.

Pneumonia is extremely unpleasant. I feel for all (elderly) people who are struggling with the same or similar issues. Most of them won’t have access to the same level of care.

Pope Francis is in stable condition, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that blood tests showed "a slight improvement" since he was hospitalized last week with severe respiratory issues.

The improvement, particularly in his inflammatory markers, suggests that the treatment is working. Francis remains at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, one of Italy’s largest hospitals, for treatment of pneumonia.

But he has begun returning to some duties on Wednesday, the Vatican's statement said. He read newspapers after breakfast "and then went about his work with his closest collaborators."

He received communion before lunch, and met privately with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the afternoon.

According to a statement by the prime minster's office, Meloni wished him "a speedy recovery, on behalf of the government and the entire nation.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition after he experienced a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis this morning requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, according to a Vatican update released Saturday.

“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican’s statement said.

The Vatican said the prognosis remains “reserved,” indicating a cautious outlook as medical teams continue to stabilize his condition.

Francis required an administration of oxygen and a blood transfusion on Saturday morning, according to the statement. The pope spent the day “alert” and sitting in an armchair, “although in more pain than yesterday,” the Vatican said.

The pope’s diagnosis of pneumonia, combined with the new development that he needed a blood transfusion, raises concerns about sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s immune system starts attacking otherwise functioning organs, sending them into shock.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition as he receives treatment for double pneumonia and a mild renal insufficiency, the Vatican shared on Sunday.

The pope had difficulty breathing for several days before he was admitted on Feb. 14 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Doctors later diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs, referred to as “double pneumonia.”

Francis, 88, was in critical condition after a respiratory crisis, the Vatican previously shared Saturday, saying he was treated with an administration of oxygen and required a blood transfusion.

But the Catholic officials also said the pope had a “tranquil” night following his treatment.

Though the pope remained critical on Sunday, he "presented no further respiratory crisis," the Vatican said. He remains on oxygen therapy though nasal cannulas.

Some blood tests showed "initial, mild, renal insufficiency," but it was under control, according to the Vatican.

The statement went on to say that Francis remains alert and participated this morning in Holy Mass "with those who are caring for him during these days of hospitalization."

NBC News' Medical Unit described the case as "very serious" even as the Vatican shares that his red blood count stabilized. The pope is now battling pneumonia, low blood counts, and his kidneys are also being affected.