Pope Francis is suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican disclosed late Tuesday, as concerns grew over a “complex” infection plaguing the 88-year-old pontiff.
Francis, who had part of one lung removed in his youth, was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic hospital Friday after developing another in a series of battles with bronchitis. Preliminary tests indicated that Francis had a respiratory tract infection and was running a slight fever as he underwent treatment.
“The control chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy,” the Vatican wrote Tuesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff – who has long been plagued by a string of lung-related medical struggles – had received the Eucharist in the morning and “alternated rest with prayer and reading texts” on Tuesday, the Vatican statement said.
On Monday, the Vatican said Francis had a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract that will require his treatment in hospital to be changed.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in therapy,” the Vatican said in the Monday statement.
“All the tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalization.”
On Tuesday morning, Pope Francis awoke after a peaceful night, ate breakfast and read newspapers, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni.
The Vatican on Tuesday said despite the onset of pneumonia in both of his lungs, “Pope Francis is in good spirits.”
“He gives thanks for the closeness he feels at this moment and asks, with a grateful heart, that we continue to pray for him,” the statement said.
Polymicrobial infections are acute and chronic diseases that can be caused by a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to the US National Insititutes of Health.
Prior to the pneumonia diagnosis, worshipers outside the Vatican expressed concern over the pope’s condition and wished him a steady recovery. “We certainly wish for him to get better very quickly,” Rev. Tyler Carter, a US priest, told Reuters. “He is our father and our shepherd, and so we want his continued health and blessing.”
