Pope Francis Stabilizes After Acute Respiratory Distress
Vatican: "No Additional Breathing Crises, Condition Remains Complex"
Oldest Living Pope Since Leo XIII... Chronic Respiratory Illnesses Remain a Concern

Pope Francis experienced a crisis due to breathing difficulties but has since stabilized, the Vatican announced on the 1st (local time).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Vatican stated in a press release that "the Pope's current health condition is stable, and there have been no additional respiratory crises like the one that occurred yesterday afternoon." The Vatican further explained, "The Pope is responding well to alternating treatments with a non-invasive ventilator (which does not require surgery or incisions) and high-flow oxygen therapy." A non-invasive ventilator is a device used without surgery or incisions.

Italy's daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, citing Vatican sources, reported that "the Pope has recovered enough to have breakfast, drink coffee, and read the newspaper."

Pope Francis is receiving greetings from bishops after a general audience at St. Peter's Basilica Square in the Vatican in January 2018. Photo by AFP Vatican

The Vatican added that the Pope currently has no fever, and his white blood cell and cardiovascular levels remain within normal ranges. However, the Vatican noted that the Pope's condition remains complex, making it difficult to definitively determine the prognosis following the acute respiratory distress he experienced the previous day.

The Pope suffered from isolated respiratory distress (a non-continuous, single episode of breathing difficulty) accompanied by bronchial spasms and vomiting yesterday afternoon. During this process, he inhaled vomit and received treatment to remove foreign substances.

The Vatican spokesperson's office announced in the latest briefing on the Pope's condition that "the night passed peacefully and the Pope is resting," adding that during the respiratory distress episode yesterday, the situation was serious enough to require continuous vigilance.

The Vatican announced that the Pope's consciousness is clear, he is not skipping meals, and he is actively undergoing respiratory rehabilitation treatment. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

At 88 years old this year, Pope Francis is the oldest reigning pope since Leo XIII, who died at the age of 93 in 1903.

The Pope had been suffering from various respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia since early February and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on the 14th of last month. A chest CT scan on the 18th confirmed pneumonia in both lungs. The Pope has a medical history of pleurisy at age 21, which led to partial lung resection. Because of this, he has suffered from chronic respiratory diseases caused by complex infections from bacteria and viruses, especially during winter.