Italy Francis is practically constantly receiving breathing assistance
Suffering from pneumonia, Pope Francis is now almost constantly supplied with additional oxygen - either through a breathing mask or cannulas. The 88-year-old now wears a mask over his mouth and nose in hospital overnight, with which he is mechanically ventilated. During the day, he is usually supplied with a tube through his nose, according to people close to him.
06.03.2025, 12:33
SDA
This Friday, the head of the Catholic Church has been in Gemelli Hospital in Rome for three weeks - longer than ever before. After several bouts of breathlessness in recent days, he spent the night without complications, according to official reports. "The night passed calmly, the Pope is still resting," said a brief statement from the Holy See.
The Argentinian-born Pope is suffering from severe pneumonia, which has affected both lungs. At least four times in hospital, Francis had attacks of breathlessness, sometimes accompanied by cramps and vomiting. He was subsequently fitted with a mask for mechanical ventilation during the day. Those close to him emphasize that he is not on artificial respiration.
The doctors are reluctant to give a prognosis on the further course of the disease. Francis has been the head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide since March 2013. At the age of 88, he is the second oldest pope in history.
