Pope Francis encountered two additional acute respiratory crises on Monday, leading to his return to noninvasive mechanical ventilation, as reported by the Vatican.
These episodes were attributed to the inhalation of substantial mucus, marking another hurdle in his ongoing struggle with a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia. In a recent update, the Vatican disclosed that the crises resulted from a ‘significant accumulation’ of mucus in his lungs accompanied by bronchial spasms. Two bronchoscopies were necessary to remove abundant secretions.
Despite these challenges, Pope Francis remained alert, coherent, and cooperative with the medical team. However, the Vatican maintained a cautious outlook on his recovery.
Earlier on Monday, while staying at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in stable condition, Pope Francis delivered a significant message, denouncing the ‘progressive irrelevance’ of international organizations in combating warfare. This message came after a two-week hiatus from the public eye during his recovery. The Vatican assured that he slept well, had breakfast, and was undergoing therapies.
No photos or videos of the Pope have been released since his hospital admission on February 14, marking the longest absence in his 12-year tenure. To keep the public informed, the Vatican has been issuing brief bi-daily medical updates, and Pope Francis has started signing documents from the ‘Gemelli Polyclinic’ to indicate that he is active and working.
While the Vatican emphasized the Pope’s need for a tranquil recovery, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, a close associate of Francis, urged him to speak publicly, highlighting the global need for his voice.
Pope Francis recently addressed the annual assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, criticizing the ineffectiveness of international organizations due to narrow interests. This is a recurring theme for the Pope, who has persistently called for peace amidst international conflicts.
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, another Vatican ambassador, reiterated the essential role of Pope Francis’s voice in advocating for global peace amid ongoing conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
Despite the current hospitalization spanning 17 nights, this does not approach the record length endured by St. John Paul II during his papacy.