Pontiff, 88, already in hospital when latest diagnosis made, as Vatican confirms medical situation is ‘complex’Pope Francis has been diagnosed with double pneumonia after further tests showed a continuing “complex” medical situation, the Vatican said in a statement on Tuesday.The pontiff, 88, underwent a chest X-ray, which “demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy”. Continue reading...
Pope Francis has been diagnosed with double pneumonia following further tests revealing a "complex" medical situation, according to a Vatican statement. The 88-year-old pontiff underwent a chest X-ray, which showed bilateral pneumonia requiring additional pharmacological therapy. He is receiving antibiotic and cortisone treatment for a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which complicates his therapy. The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital after suffering from the infection for over a week. Despite his illness, he remains in good spirits and continues his nightly telephone calls to the Holy Family church in Gaza. This is not his first hospitalization for respiratory issues; in March 2023, he was diagnosed with pneumonia after initially being treated for bronchitis. Pope Francis, who has a history of health challenges, including sciatic nerve pain and a knee issue, has been seen using a wheelchair or walking stick in recent years.
