SAO PAULO, SP (Folhapress)-Pope Francis has bilateral pneumonia (infection that reaches both lungs), according to the Vatican in a bulletin released on Tuesday (18), the fifth day of hospitalization of the Argentine. Although its respiratory infection “continues to present a complex picture”, the Holy See says that the pontiff is well willing.
Earlier the Vatican had stated that the Pope will not attend the events of the Catholic Church over the weekend. “Due to the health status of the Holy Father, the Jubilee Audience on Saturday, February 22, is canceled,” the Holy See said in a statement. A papal mass scheduled for Sunday (23) will still occur, says the note, but will be led by a high Vatican employee.
According to Evaldo Stanislau de Araújo, infectologist at Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, bilateral pneumonia, or bronchopneumonia, is an inflammatory picture of the lungs that may cause an infectious or not. The disease developed by the Pope is common and occurs mainly in patients with fewer defenses, such as those in the age group.
“It is a picture of gravity. Depending on the pathogen, the patient’s microorganism and the patient’s body reserve, it is always more serious, ”said Araújo. “From the historical and what has been homeopatically informed, it seems to me a picture that has been evolving in a non -satisfactory way.”
Despite this, the Pope worked on Tuesday, when he accepted the renunciation of Canadian Bishop Jean-Pierre Blais, 75, of the Diocese of Quebec, naming Reverend Pierre Charland as a substitute. According to the diocese, the withdrawal is not linked to accusations of sexual aggression against the Canadian religious, who denies them. Canon law states that bishops must present their waiver at age 75. The departure of office only occurs with the Pope’s endorsement, who can choose to keep the bishop in the position.
Previously, the Vatican had already canceled the Pontiff’s presence at the weekly audience at São Pedro Square, scheduled for Wednesday (19), and a visit to the famous film studios of Cinecittà in Rome, which was scheduled for the second- Fair (17).
The 88-year-old pontiff has suffered from bronchitis for over a week and was hospitalized last Friday (14) at Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. At the time, doctors recommended absolute rest, which prevented Francis from fulfilling his Sunday prayer to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square and from leading a special mass to mark the Jubilee of the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years.
In the second, the Vatican stated that Francisco’s clinical picture was complex and involved a polymicrobial infection – or is, for more than one microorganism, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi – respiratory pathways, which required change in treatment and “proper hospitalization ”.
Hours later, the Holy See reported that the Pope was stable. “The Holy Father remains apirical [sem febre] and proceed with prescribed therapy. Your clinical condition is stable. This morning, he received the Eucharist [hóstia consagrada] And then he devoted himself to some work activities and reading texts, ”said the night note of this Monday.
“Pope Francis is moved by the numerous messages of affection and proximity he continues to receive; In particular, he wants to thank those who are currently hospitalized, for the affection and love they express, ”says a statement released by Vatican News, a service provided by the dicker for the communication of the Holy See.
According to the Italian news agency Ansa, the pontiff spent a quiet night and kept his habits. At night, for example, he would have called a Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip, something he has been doing daily in recent months due to the war between Israel and Hamas in Palestinian territory.
Before being hospitalized, the religious leader asked for help to read speeches twice in a week. On the first occasion, at the Sunday Mass on the 9th, the Pontiff failed to read his homily due to “difficulties to breathe.”
Three days later, he made the order again during his weekly Vatican hearing. “Let me ask the priest to keep reading because I can not yet with my bronchitis. I hope next time I can, ”he said, who had a part of one of his lungs removed when he was young.
The Jesuit, elected Pope in 2013, has suffered from various health problems in recent years, including knee and hips pain, colon inflammation and a hernia operation. Nevertheless, the Argentine maintained a rapid pace in the Vatican.
The Pope’s current hospitalization is fourth in less than four years and rekindled the debate about his health. Francisco was hospitalized for three days in 2023 due to a bronchitis, treated with antibiotics. He still suffered two falls recently, hurting his chin in December and his arm in January.
