Pope Francis suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis on Saturday, and he received “high flows” of oxygen and blood transfusions, according to the Vatican.
Before the respiratory complication, he was being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection. A statement described his condition as “critical” and said he “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday.”
Sepsis is the primary concern for the 88-year-old pope, his medical team says, but there is no sign of it yet. Francis has chronic lung disease and if often afflicted with bronchitis in the winter, which was the original reason for his hospitalization on Feb 14th.
