Pope Francis Rests Peacefully in Hospital After Respiratory Crisis, Vatican Reports

Pope Francis experienced a severe respiratory crisis on Saturday, marked by a prolonged asthmatic episode, the Vatican confirmed. To support his breathing, he was administered "high flows" of oxygen and received blood transfusions after tests revealed a low platelet count, a condition that affects the blood's ability to clot.

Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that play a critical role in forming clots to stop bleeding and heal wounds. Low platelet levels can result from infections or medication side effects, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Doctors noted that the main concern in such cases is the potential development of sepsis—a life-threatening condition when infection spreads to the bloodstream.

Fortunately, as of Friday, there was no indication of sepsis, and the Pope was responding well to the medication regimen, his medical team said.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after his bronchitis, which had persisted for a week, worsened. Doctors initially diagnosed a complex respiratory infection involving viral, bacterial, and fungal components, which subsequently progressed to pneumonia affecting both lungs.

The Pope had been scheduled to lead Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which he was to ordain hundreds of deacons as part of the Vatican's yearlong Holy Year celebration. In his absence, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the event's organizer, celebrated the Mass. Before delivering the homily prepared by the Pope, Fisichella led a special prayer for Francis.

"Even though he is in a hospital bed, we feel Pope Francis close to us, we feel him present among us," Fisichella said. "This inspires us to pray with even greater intensity that the Lord may support him during this time of trial and illness."

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis "remains alert and spent the day seated in an armchair, though he experienced more pain than the previous day."

While the Pope's prognosis remains uncertain, doctors continue to monitor his fragile condition closely, given his advanced age, existing lung issues, and overall frailty.