Pope Francis had a number of breathing crises during his time in hospital, with a doctor admitting that two of them put the pontiff’s life in danger, and medics were close to ending treatment
The medical team caring for Pope Francis briefly considered ending his treatment so he could die, his lead doctor has said.
Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, after a five-week stay, as he battled double pneumonia. But Professor Sergio Alfieri said the most critical moment came on February 28 when the Pope had a breathing crisis and inhaled his own vomit. Dr Alfieri said the 88-year-old pontiff and people close to him understood “that he might not survive the night,” after the bronchospasm attack.
“We needed to choose whether to stop and let him go, or to push it and attempt with all of the possible drugs and the treatments, taking the very high risk of damaging other organs,” he said. “In the end, that is the path we chose.”
Francis was released after 38 days of treatment under doctors’ orders to observe two months of convalescence during which he should avoid large gatherings. The Pope appeared weak and frail when he greeted the crowd outside the Gemelli hospital before his discharge.
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The Vatican has said it is not clear if the Pope will meet with King Charles on a Vatican state visit next month, or any Holy Week activities leading up to Easter on April 20.
Dr Alfieri said that the Pope remained “alert” throughout the February 28 ordeal. He said the decision to continue with treatment was made by Francis’ nurse.
“The Holy Father always decides,” he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “He delegated all kinds of health care choices to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, who knows perfectly well the Pontiff’s wishes.”
“Try everything, we won’t give up. That’s what we all thought too. And no one gave up.”
Dr Alfieri acknowledged that the treatment risked damaging the Pope’s kidneys and bone marrow.
“But we continued,” he said. “And his body responded to the treatments and the lung infection improved.”
The pontiff had a number of breathing crises during his time in hospital, with Dr Alfieri previously saying that two of them put the Pope’s life in danger. During his stay the Vatican provided an extraordinary level of detail about Francis’ condition.
Dr Alfieri said this was the Pope’s decision and that the Vatican’s bulletins were prepared by the medical team with some additions from Francis’ personal secretaries.
“From the first day he asked us to tell him the truth and he wanted us to tell the truth about his condition… nothing was ever changed or omitted,” he said.
Francis has returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he will receive treatment including mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, especially for voice recovery, and engage in personal prayer, according to the Vatican. Doctors also advised the Pope to have 24-hour medical assistance, including oxygen therapy and in case of any emergencies.
“You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance. Thank you so much. I also pray for you,” Francis said in a post on X on Sunday.
