Pope Francis, 88, has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, the Vatican announced Tuesday, further complicating his treatment for a pre-existing respiratory infection, Al Jazeera reports.
The pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 after suffering from the infection for over a week.
According to a Vatican statement, Francis’s respiratory issues also involve asthmatic bronchitis, necessitating treatment with cortisone and antibiotics. A chest CAT scan revealed the presence of bilateral pneumonia, requiring “further pharmacological therapy.”
Despite the diagnosis, the Vatican maintained that Pope Francis remains in “good spirits.” A Vatican official, speaking anonymously earlier in the day, clarified that the Pope is not on a ventilator and is breathing on his own.
The announcement comes after the Vatican revealed on Monday that doctors had altered the Pope’s medication regimen for the second time since his hospitalization to address a “complex clinical situation” described as a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.”
As a result of the Pope’s condition, all public events on his calendar have been cancelled through Sunday. He was scheduled to lead several events this weekend in preparation for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, a period of pardon and forgiveness that will continue until next January.
The Vatican has stated that Pope Francis will remain hospitalized for as long as deemed necessary.
The Argentine Pope’s susceptibility to lung infections stems from his youth, when he developed pleurisy and had a portion of one lung surgically removed.
