22.02.2025 22:30
In a statement, the Vatican indicated that the health condition of Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and the Head of State of the Vatican, is critical. It was reported that Francis experienced an asthma crisis this morning, requiring oxygen support, and that he underwent a blood transfusion due to low platelet levels.
The health condition of the spiritual leader of Catholics and the President of the Vatican City, Pope Francis, has been reported as critical, stating that he suffered an asthma attack this morning and is receiving oxygen support, as well as undergoing a blood transfusion due to low platelet levels.
"THE POPE'S HEALTH CONDITION IS CRITICAL"
The Vatican issued a written statement regarding the health condition of the 88-year-old Pope, who has been receiving treatment at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14 due to severe bronchitis, where he was diagnosed with polymicrobial infection and bilateral pneumonia. The statement said, "The Pope's health condition remains critical. Therefore, as announced yesterday, the Pope has not yet overcome the danger."
"SUFFERED A LONG ASTHMA ATTACK"
The Vatican's statement noted, "This morning, Pope Francis suffered a prolonged asthma attack and required oxygen therapy. Blood tests conducted today revealed anemia along with low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia). This situation necessitated a blood transfusion. The Pope is conscious and spent his day in a chair, but he is more troubled than yesterday."
The Vatican also announced this morning that the Pope would not be able to perform the traditional Sunday prayer tomorrow due to his hospitalization, and that the prayer text would be shared. On the other hand, Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in a statement to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, commented on the renewed speculation that Pope Francis could resign if he becomes unable to perform his duties, saying, "All of this is unnecessary speculation. Right now, we are thinking about the Pope's health and his return to the Vatican. That is what is important."
HEALTH ISSUES HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS
Pope Francis, who has been the spiritual leader of Catholics since 2013, was hospitalized for the first time in 2021 and underwent surgery for colon issues. Most recently, in 2023, he was treated at the Gemelli Hospital twice, once for shortness of breath and once for a prosthesis placement operation in the abdominal wall. The spiritual leader of Catholics has been using a wheelchair in recent years due to knee pain. Pope Francis had expressed that he was suffering from bronchitis and difficulty breathing during two public events on February 9 and 12, and he had asked his aides to read the speeches instead of delivering them himself.
After being hospitalized on February 14, it was later reported that the Pope had a polymicrobial infection in his respiratory tract. In a statement from the Vatican on February 18 regarding the Pope's health condition, it was noted that pneumonia had developed in Pope Francis and that his clinical condition continued to present a complex picture. In the Vatican's statement on February 19, it was recorded that the Pope was not receiving oxygen support and was able to breathe on his own, and that he showed "slight improvement" in the previous day's statement. The Pope's scheduled events for this weekend had also been canceled.