VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, 88, suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency on Monday, the Vatican confirmed, marking a concerning development in his ongoing battle with double pneumonia.
The pontiff, who has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14, experienced severe breathing difficulties due to a build-up of endobronchial mucus, leading to a bronchospasm—a condition similar to an asthma attack. Doctors had to perform two bronchoscopies to clear his airways, and he was placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation to aid his breathing.
While his condition appeared stable over the weekend, Monday’s setback underscores the seriousness of his health issues. The Vatican described his prognosis as “guarded,” meaning he remains at risk.
Pope Francis has faced multiple health challenges in recent years, partly due to his history of lung infections—a vulnerability stemming from pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one lung.
His hospitalization marks his longest absence from public life since becoming pope in 2013. Vatican officials have not provided a timeline for his recovery.