Pope Francis issues heatlh update from hospital bed after condition confirmed as critical

Pope Francis was hospitalised almost 10 days ago in Rome (Picture: Getty; Reuters)

Pope Francis has sent a message to 1.2 billion Catholics the world over after the Vatican confirmed he was in a critical condition.

The 88-year-old is being treated for pneumonia in each lungs and chronic bronchitis on the Catholic Gemelli Hospital in Rome where he was admitted almost 10 days ago.

He required ‘high flows’ of oxygen to assist him breathe and received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, that are needed for clotting.

‘I’m confidently continuing my hospitalisation on the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the needed treatment; and rest can also be a part of the therapy,’ the pontiff said in his message from his hospital bed, released by the Vatican today.

‘I sincerely thank the doctors and medical examiners of this hospital for the eye they’re showing me and the dedication with which they perform their service among the many sick,.’

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni’s issued a one-line statement earlier this morning in regards to the last 12 hours but didn’t mention if Francis was up or eating breakfast.

Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in The Vatican, on February 12, 2025. — Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in The Vatican, on February 12, 2025 (Picture: Getty)

Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome — Candles and a photograph of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome (Picture: AP)

On Saturday, the pontiff suffered a chronic asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for his complex condition.

He ‘continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in additional pain than yesterday,’ the Vatican had said.

Doctors said the prognosis was ‘reserved’, only aggravating the fears of 1.2 billion of Catholics the world over.

His condition was described as ‘touch and go’, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease.

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Nuns pray during a Rosary service in front of the Gemelli hospital, on February 22, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome last week with bronchitis, and was subsequently treated for a respiratory tract infection. Today's official bulletin released by the Vatican Press Office states that the condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. This morning, the Pontiff experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen. Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) — Nuns pray during a Rosary service in front of the Gemelli hospital, on February 22 (Picture: Getty)

The essential threat facing Francis is that if the infection enters his bloodstream, a serious condition generally known as sepsis.

The pope, who has chronic lung disease and is susceptible to bronchitis in the course of the winter, was hospitalised on February 14 after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.

Doctors first diagnosed the complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection after which the onset of pneumonia in each lungs.

They prescribed ‘absolute rest’ and a mixture of cortisone and antibiotics, together with supplemental oxygen when he needs it.

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