Pope Francis Remains in Critical Condition, Calls for Global Prayers

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis's health remains critical; while he has stabilized from respiratory crises, he continues to receive treatment for severe pneumonia and other health issues.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition, according to a statement from the Vatican, which notes that, although he has not experienced any further respiratory crises, he continues to receive high-flow oxygen therapy and has undergone blood transfusions. The pontiff is battling mild kidney problems but remains alert and well-oriented, the statement said.

After experiencing breathing difficulties for several days beginning on 14 February, the Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was initially treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. The latest health update from the Vatican follows a previous announcement regarding respiratory complications that had elevated concern regarding the Pope's health.

On Sunday morning, Pope Francis appealed to Catholics around the world to pray for him, marking the second consecutive week he was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person. That same morning, the Pope did participate in Holy Mass alongside the medical staff caring for him during this distressing period.

Pope Francis, who contracted pleurisy in his youth and underwent a partial lung removal, is particularly vulnerable to pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that can arise from various infectious agents. Throughout his 12-year tenure as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope has been hospitalized multiple times, including a similar incident for bronchitis earlier in March 2023.

As the first Latin American and first Jesuit pope, he has made profound global impacts, and his current health struggles prompt solidarity and prayer from millions of followers worldwide.