Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
The condition of the 88-year-old pontiff has raised concerns about his ability to fight off his infection
Pope Francis, who is spending his sixth day in hospital for treatment of a respiratory infection, is alert and ate breakfast on Wednesday, the Vatican said in its latest update on the pontiff’s fragile health.
The pope has the onset of double pneumonia, the Vatican said on Tuesday, complicating treatment for the 88-year pontiff and indicating a further deterioration in his fragile health.
Francis has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14.
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the pope’s condition, said on Wednesday Francis was not on a ventilator and was breathing on his own.
The official said the pope had been able to get out of bed and sit in an armchair in his hospital room, and was continuing to do some work.
The Vatican is expected to give a further update on the pope’s condition later on Wednesday.