Italy Vatican: Onset of renal insufficiency in Pope Francis
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis' state of health remains "critical". Blood tests have revealed "incipient, mild renal insufficiency" in the 88-year-old, the Holy See spokesperson announced. However, this is currently under control.
23.02.2025, 20:13
SDA
Unlike the previous day, however, Francis had not had any further "respiratory crises". However, the head of the Catholic Church is still being supplied with additional oxygen via a tube in his nose, the spokesperson added.
Francis "alert and well oriented"
Francis is still "awake and well oriented", he had attended a mass in the morning in the wing on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Clinic, which is specially designed for papal stays.
According to the doctors, it is still difficult to predict the further course of the disease. "Due to the complexity of the clinical picture and the fact that we have to wait until the drug therapies take effect, the prognosis remains uncertain," they said.
Pope not out of danger
For more than a week, Francis has been treated in a hospital in Rome for a complex respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia. After cautiously positive signals in the meantime, the Vatican announced on Saturday that the Pope was not out of danger and that his condition was "critical".
A blood transfusion was also necessary for the first time on Saturday. During examinations, Francis was found to have a lack of platelets, which are needed for blood clotting. The values have now reportedly remained "stable", while the red blood cell count has increased again.
