Pope Francis remains in critical condition following a significant health “crisis” early this morning, the Vatican has announced.
According to a statement from the Holy See, the pontiff suffered an “asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude” requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, raising renewed concerns over his fragile health.
“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican announced. “Today’s blood tests also showed plateletopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Plateletopenia, also known as thrombocytopenia, is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of platelets in the blood. Platelets are essential for blood clotting and help prevent excessive bleeding. Low levels lead to significant bleeding risks.
The Pope, 88, who has faced ongoing health issues—including a recent diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia—continues to be monitored closely by medical personnel. As reported in The Daily Wire on February 19, Pope Francis had already been facing complications stemming from bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, which led to his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic. At the time, the Vatican had confirmed his condition was serious but stable, noting the necessity of additional drug therapies to manage pneumonia.
Despite the severity of his condition—which saw a significant change after yesterday’s press briefing by doctors at Gemmelli Hospital—the Holy See reported that Pope Francis remained “alert and spent the day in an armchair, although in more pain than yesterday.” The prognosis remains guarded as doctors continue to evaluate his response to treatment, considering additional concerns associated with his prior gastrointestinal issues, low platelet count, and oxygen levels.
This latest episode has further intensified concerns about the Pope’s ability to fulfill his papal duties. While Vatican officials have not discussed contingency plans, Pope Francis himself has previously acknowledged the possibility of resignation should his health prevent him from effectively leading the Catholic Church. As previously reported, he signed a resignation letter in 2013, entrusting it to the Vatican’s Secretary of State for use in the event of incapacitation.
As the situation unfolds, prayers and messages of support continue to pour in from around the world, with faithful Catholics and global leaders expressing solidarity with the ailing Pope. The Vatican has assured that further updates will be provided as his medical team continues treatment and assessment.
