Yesterday afternoon, after a morning session of respiratory physiotherapy, which Pope Francis alternated with prayer in the chapel, he experienced a single episode of bronchospasm, the Vatican press service reports.
This caused a bout of vomiting, which led to a sharp deterioration in his breathing condition.
The Pope was immediately given bronchial aspiration (to clear the airways) and placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which improved the oxygen levels in his blood.
“He always remained alert and conscious, participating in the therapeutic procedures. Therefore, the prognosis remains unclear. In the morning, he received communion.”
The Pope continues to undergo treatment for bilateral pneumonia at the Gemelli hospital in Rome. He was hospitalized on Friday, February 14, due to a respiratory infection. It will take 24 to 48 hours to assess the Pope’s clinical condition following the single episode of bronchospasm. It is reported that thanks to non-invasive mechanical ventilation, gas exchange levels have returned to those similar to before the episode.