Vatican Shares Update On Pope’s Health Crisis

Pope Francis, 88, faced a serious health scare on Friday as he suffered a sudden deterioration in his breathing, triggering an emergency response from doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope experienced a bout of vomiting along with an alarming respiratory crisis but assured the public that his condition is now stable.

According to Vatican officials, the Pope was given oxygen through a face mask to help regulate his breathing. By Saturday evening, his medical team reported that he had responded well to oxygen therapy and had not suffered another major breathing episode. While they did not offer a long-term prognosis, they emphasized that the Pope remained “alert and well-oriented.”

The Vatican’s latest update detailed that Pope Francis spent much of the day alternating between wearing an oxygen mask and receiving high-flow oxygen. Despite the health setback, he was able to take part in prayer, receive the Eucharist, and continue eating normally. Doctors noted that his circulation and blood flow were stable, with no significant signs of worsening infection.

Earlier on Saturday, Vatican insiders described the Pope’s night as “peaceful” and even mentioned that he had enjoyed a morning coffee—an encouraging sign for a man whose health has been a growing concern for Catholics worldwide. However, medical experts remain cautious, saying they will need 24 to 48 hours to determine if there has been lasting damage to his lungs.

For the leader of the Catholic Church, hospitalization has become increasingly frequent. Pope Francis was first admitted on February 14 after struggling with breathing issues for several days. Initially diagnosed with bronchitis, he was later found to have pneumonia in both lungs. Given his medical history—including a partial lung removal as a young man due to pleurisy—any respiratory illness is particularly dangerous for him.