Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia, the Vatican announced Saturday. The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis requiring high-flow oxygen treatment and blood transfusions.
“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican said in its evening update. Daily blood tests revealed thrombocytopenia and anaemia, necessitating blood transfusions.
Despite his condition, the Pope remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, though reportedly experiencing more discomfort than the previous day. The Vatican confirmed he will not deliver his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday for the second consecutive week.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the pope’s medical team, reported Friday that while the pontiff’s condition has shown slight improvement, allowing for a gradual reduction in medication, the situation remains serious given his age and general health.
Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has faced several health challenges in recent years, including major surgeries in 2021 and 2023. This latest hospitalisation, now in its ninth night, has sparked discussions about his ability to continue leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin addressed speculation about potential succession, telling Italy’s Corriere della Sera that the focus should remain on the Pope’s recovery and return to the Vatican.
Outside the Gemelli hospital, where Francis occupies a special papal suite on the 10th floor, nuns and priests from around the world gathered Saturday to pray for his recovery.
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