Pope Francis is reportedly in critical condition after experiencing a severe “asthmatic respiratory crisis” over the weekend, which has raised alarm regarding his health. The Vatican's latest announcement on Saturday evening noted that his medical condition has worsened since previous updates from his doctors on Friday. The pontiff, who is 88, was hospitalized on February 14 with a respiratory tract infection that had escalated to pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Despite this troubling news, the Vatican stated that Francis is alert and able to sit up in an armchair, although he is enduring more discomfort than the day before. The need for a blood transfusion arose due to tests that revealed low platelet counts linked with anemia. The Vatican reaffirmed that “the pope is not out of danger,” heightening concerns about the future of the pontiff's health, as the world watches closely for updates regarding his recovery.
