Pope Francis, who is 88 years old, is facing serious health problems as he battles double pneumonia. Early on Tuesday, the Vatican announced that the Pope had a rough time on Monday and needed help breathing again. Doctors had to use a special mask that pumps oxygen into his lungs.
During the night, Pope Francis was able to sleep well and is now resting, but his situation is still serious. The Vatican reported that doctors removed a lot of mucus from his lungs using a small camera and suction tool. This mucus was his body’s response to the pneumonia and not a new infection, which is hopeful news.
Pope Francis has a history of lung disease, having had part of one lung removed when he was younger. He is not very active, uses a wheelchair, and struggles with his weight. While he has been receiving therapy to help improve his breathing, doctors are concerned that he is having trouble clearing mucus from his lungs on his own.
Dr. John Coleman, a lung doctor in Chicago, mentioned that the situation looks worse than a previous issue Francis had just a few days earlier. At that time, he coughed and accidentally inhaled some vomit, but he improved quickly.
Doctors are trying to avoid putting the Pope on more serious breathing machines. They have not needed to put him on invasive support so far. It’s unclear if he has made plans for his care if he becomes unable to make decisions, but Church teachings state that ordinary care should always be given.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia said that today, the Pope is teaching everyone about fragility and the importance of caring for one another. Pope Francis’s hospital stay has lasted 18 nights, which is not a record but still important for his health.