On Saturday morning, February 22, 2025, the Vatican announced that the Holy Father "rested well last night" but remained in "critical" condition and "was not out of danger."

In the morning, the Holy Father "had a prolonged asthmatic respiratory attack, which required the application of high-flow oxygen." Should ne noted that this is the first time that the word "critical" has been used in a Vatican statement to describe Pope Francis’ health.

Furthermore, "blood tests have revealed a lack of platelets in the blood, associated with anemia, which has required the administration of blood transfusions"

"The prognosis is currently guarded" (which suggests that his condition is constantly evolving and requires close monitoring). Despite everything, "the Holy Father spent the day in an armchair, although he is suffering more than the day before."

He will remain at the Gemelli hospital "at least all next week", to continue his therapy, declared the day before Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Holy Father's referring physician.

This Sunday, February 23, Pope Francis will not lead the Angelus prayer at noon, but his meditation text will be made public. The Holy Father was to preside over the closing Mass of the Jubilee of Deacons in St. Peter's Basilica, he will be replaced by Msgr. Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. The latter will read the homily that Pope Francis has prepared for this intention.

Pope Francis gets up, he reads, he works, he signs documents, he also spends time in the hospital chapel, confides Professor Alfieri, but he suffers from a chronic illness, which can go through acute phases. In this context, the doctors prefer to keep him under surveillance in the hospital where he is surrounded by a team of specialists, pulmonologists and cardiologists among others.

Regarding the communication since the beginning of the hospitalization, a week ago, "Everything that is written in the bulletins is the truth", the doctors assured and they are written in common agreement with their various colleagues. The Pope has expressly asked the doctors not to hide anything about his state of health.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, Head of the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, said that the main threat the Pope faces is the risk that some of the germs present in his respiratory system enter his bloodstream and cause sepsis. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death. “He knows he’s in danger,” Alfieri added. “And he told us to pass it on.”

Meanwhile, the Vatican hierarchy is on the defensive to quell rumors and speculation that Pope Francis might decide to resign. Canon law makes no provision for what to do if a pope becomes incapacitated.

The pope remains fully conscious, alert, eating and working, and the Vatican has denied any possibility of his resignation.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44325-haiti-flash-the-pope-s-health-slightly-improving.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-44323-haiti-actualite-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-44310-haiti-flash-le-pape-souffre-d-un-double-pneumonie.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-44302-haiti-actualite-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-44289-haiti-flash-le-pape-francois-hospitalise-derniere-nouvelles.html

S/ HaïtiLibre