The Holy Father took a turn for the worse in hospital yesterday when his airways suddenly tightened causing him to breathe in vomit during a worrying ‘bronchial spasm’
Pope Francis “rested well” after his breathing crisis setback last night and was able to drink his coffee this morning, The Vatican has said.
The Holy Father took a turn for the worse yesterday when his airways suddenly tightened causing him to breathe in vomit. After the ‘bronchial spasm’ he was quickly given air and a breathing mask, in what was a setback in his two-week battle against Pneumonia.
The 88-year-old responded well to the treatment and remained conscious and alert the whole time, a spokesperson said. This morning The Vatican said in a statement: “The night passed peacefully, the Pope is resting.” Sources added he was able to drink a morning coffee.
His setback yesterday came after two successive days of increasingly positive reports from doctors treating him at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been since February 14. The episode, which occurred in the early afternoon, resulted in a “sudden worsening of the respiratory picture”.
A bronchial spasm happens when the airways tighten, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican added in a statement yesterday: “The Holy Father was promptly aspirated and started on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response on gas exchange. The Holy Father always remained vigilant and oriented, collaborating in the therapeutic manoeuvres.”
Doctors decided to keep his prognosis as guarded. They asked for 24 to 48 hours to see if this episode could cause a worsening of his condition or not, Vatican sources said, adding that his lungs were working as well as they were before. The Vatican has made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still has a long road ahead.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the March 5 ceremony and procession. In their Thursday evening bulletin, doctors said Francis’ clinical condition had confirmed that he was improving. Francis has been at Gemelli Hospital since February 14 after his bronchitis worsened.
He has shown steady, albeit slight improvements since a respiratory crisis and kidney trouble over the weekend sparked fears for his life. The improvements had beat back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or a conclave and signalled that he is still very much in charge.