Pope has two episodes of ‘acute respiratory failure,’ Vatican says

By AFP 3 March 2025, 9:08 pm

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Pope Francis suffered two new breathing attacks today, requiring two separate bronchoscopies, the Vatican says, as the 88-year-old pontiff struggles to recover from pneumonia.

“Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” it says in a statement, on Francis’s 18th day in hospital, the longest of his papacy.

In its usual evening update, the Holy See says the pope had resumed the use of an oxygen mask and notes that he is “alert, focused and cooperative.” It adds that Francis’s prognosis remains “reserved,” an indication that doctors cannot predict the likely outcome of his condition.