ROME — Pope Francis woke up on Monday and continued his therapeutic treatments as he marked the 10th day of his stay in the hospital due to a complex lung infection that has led to the early signs of kidney insufficiency, according to the Vatican.
The Vatican reported that “the night passed well, the pope slept and is resting.” The 88-year-old pontiff is able to feed himself and is not reliant on artificial or liquid nutrition, and he remains in good spirits.
A medical update was anticipated later in the day. Additionally, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second-in-command, is scheduled to lead an evening prayer service of the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square.
Late on Sunday, medical professionals indicated that blood tests revealed “early, slight kidney insufficiency,” although they assured that the condition is being managed. They noted that while the pope remains in critical condition, he had not faced any additional respiratory complications since Saturday.
Pope Francis is suffering from pneumonia in both of his lungs and is receiving high levels of supplemental oxygen. On Sunday, he was reported to be alert and responsive, even attending Mass. However, his prognosis remains uncertain.
The doctors highlighted that due to his age, fraility, and history of lung issues, his health is precarious. They pointed out that sepsis, a severe infection of the bloodstream that can complicate pneumonia, poses a significant risk for him.
So far, there have been no indications of sepsis in the Vatican’s medical updates.
This hospitalization marks the longest time Pope Francis has spent in the hospital during his papacy. He previously spent 10 days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in 2021 for surgery involving the removal of 33 centimeters (approximately 13 inches) of his colon.
During a Mass in New York on Sunday, Cardinal Timothy Dolan openly acknowledged the church leaders in Rome were hesitant to voice concerns, expressing that the Catholic faithful are united in “the bedside of a dying father.”
He described Pope Francis as being in “very, very fragile health, and probably close to death,” although he subsequently remarked to reporters that he remained hopeful and prayed for the pope’s recovery.
The pope’s declining health has sparked discussions about potential scenarios if he were to fall unconscious or become otherwise incapacitated, stirring conversations about the possibility of resignation.
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*This piece has been amended to clarify that the doctors found early stages of kidney insufficiency, rather than renal failure.*
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