Rome Pope Francis’s condition remained critical. The Vatican claimed the 88-year-old pope, who is battling pneumonia and a complicated lung illness, is still alert, receptive, and attended Mass despite blood tests on Sunday that revealed early renal failure.
The Vatican said in a late update that Francis was still getting high amounts of supplementary oxygen even though he hadn’t experienced any more respiratory crises since Saturday night.
Although certain blood tests revealed early, minor renal failure, doctors claimed that it was under control.
Francis’ doctors came to the conclusion that the prognosis must remain guarded due to the intricacy of the clinical picture and the need to wait for medication therapy to offer some feedback.
Meanwhile, Francis received prayers from people all across the world, including kids in Rome, the seat of Sunni Islam in Cairo, and his own Argentina.
The Catholic faithful were united at the bedside of a dying father, something that church leaders in Rome were not openly acknowledging. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York made this admission.
In his sermon from the pulpit of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dolan stated that our Holy Father Pope Francis is in extremely poor health and is likely near death. However, he later told reporters that he prayed and hoped Francis would recover.
Given his age, frailty, and pre-existing lung disease, doctors have determined that Francis’ health is touch-and-go. His illness has sparked conjecture about his potential resignation and what would happen if he passes out or becomes handicapped in some other way.
As part of the Vatican’s annual commemoration of Holy Year, Francis was scheduled to ordain deacons and celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday morning.
Before giving the speech the pope had prepared, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who organized the Holy Year, said the Mass in his place and said a special prayer for Francis from the altar.
Pope Francis is in a hospital bed, yet we still feel his presence. “We sense his presence among us,” Fisichella said to the hundreds of deacons in white robes.
A pre-written statement that Francis was supposed to read on Sunday but failed to do so stated that he was confidently extending my hospital stay at Gemelli Hospital and continuing the required treatment—and that therapy also includes rest! The letter mentioned the approaching anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a terrible and humiliating event for all of humanity, and begged for prayers for him, as he always does.
The city’s famous obelisk was illuminated as Catholics in Francis’ home country of Argentina prayed for the pope at the cathedral in Buenos Aires. Francis, the city prays for you.
Francis received best wishes from the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the center of Sunni scholarship in Cairo, where he had a strong friendship.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb posted on Facebook, “I pray to Allah to grant my dear brother, Pope Francis, a swift recovery and to bless him with good health and well-being so that he may continue his journey in serving humanity.”
Additionally, the American Jewish Committee prayed. The group posted on X, “We stand together with our Catholic brothers and sisters during this difficult time.”
Additionally, Italian bishops conducted rosary prayers and celebrated special Masses throughout Italy, while schoolchildren from all over Rome flocked to the Gemelli hospital with well wishes.
The primary risk Francis faces, according to doctors, is issepsis, a dangerous blood infection that can develop as a side effect of pneumonia. The Vatican’s medical bulletins, which were released on Sunday, have not yet mentioned the beginning of sepsis.
Francis’ platelet count dropped on Saturday and stayed low but steady on Sunday. Platelets are fragments of cells that circulate in the blood and aid in the formation of blood clots to halt bleeding or promote wound healing. Numerous factors, such as infections or medication side effects, can contribute to low platelet counts.
Francis also experienced anemia and received hematin, a medication used to raise hemoglobin levels in the blood, which helps the blood carry more oxygen, during Saturday’s blood transfusions. Physicians said the treatment had been helpful on Sunday.
Francis was hospitalized to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after a week-long episode of bronchitis deteriorated. Francis has chronic lung illness and is susceptible to bronchitis during the winter months.
Physicians initially identified a complicated respiratory tract infection caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, followed by the development of pneumonia in both lungs. They recommended complete rest, a cortisone and antibiotic combination, and more oxygen as necessary.
It appears from Francis’s recent actions that he was well aware of his aging and frailty.
The funeral procedures that will be performed after his death were simplified last year to highlight his status as a simple bishop and to permit his wishes to be buried outside the Vatican. However, the essential components of the ceremonies are still in place, such as the three crucial times that must pass between a pope’s passing and his funeral: at his residence, at St. Peter’s Basilica, and at the burial site.
Francis made 21 new cardinals in December. Since all except one were under 80, they may all cast ballots in a conclave to choose his successor. With their additions, there were 140 cardinals of voting age total, many more than the 120 that St. John Paul II had established. However, the number will decline as a number of the present electors turn 80 this year.
Francis chose to prolong the five-year tenure of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, the incumbent head of the College of Cardinals, earlier this month rather than appointing a new dean when he became ill. The dean of the College of Cardinals is a key position in the life of the Catholic hierarchy and is particularly essential during the change of papal, as the movie Conclave portrays.
The 81-year-old Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the vice-dean, also had his mandate extended by Francis.
By The Associated Press’s Nicole Winfield.
