Pope Francis’s physicians have reported that he is still not out of danger although his condition is no longer life-threatening.
“If you ask if he is out of danger, the answer is no,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, chief doctor at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. “But if you ask if his life is in immediate danger, the answer is also no.”
Despite his sickness, the pope is in good spirits. Alfieri reminded him of a funny incident when he greeted him by saying “Holy Father,” and the pope smiled at him and called him the “Holy Son.”
Francis, 88, was hospitalized last week when his bronchitis worsened. He was subsequently diagnosed with double pneumonia and a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal infection. Doctors have placed him on an intensification drug regimen and occasionally administer supplemental oxygen if needed. However, Alfieri clarified that the pope is not receiving a ventilator.
One of the greatest concerns for doctors is that the infection could move into Francis’ blood stream and cause sepsis—a potentially fatal complication. Fortunately, there has been no indication this has occurred so far.
The pope has been able to leave his bed and return to some of his duties but will remain in the hospital at least through next week.
His hospital stay has once renewed speculation about whether he might quit, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013. Francis described resignation in a recent memoir as a “distant possibility,” and a matter to consider only if he were to become severely physically hemmed in.
But he revealed in 2022 that he had written a letter of resignation at the beginning of his papacy in the event that health issues ever made it impossible for him to perform his duties.
While Catholics around the world pray for his recovery, the Filipino faithful gathered at an hour-long prayer service at Manila Cathedral on Friday. The pope has a particular affinity for the country, as he attracted a record 6 million to a Mass there in 2015.
Catholics are gathering outside Gemelli Hospital on Saturday to pray for Francis’ well-being, in line with the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a celebration honoring the authority that Jesus granted the pope.
