Pope Francis continues to be in a critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis. As per the official statement from the Vatican, the 88-year-old Pope required high flows of oxygen and a blood transfusion.
In a late update, the Vatican added that Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised for a week with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, received blood transfusions after tests showed low platelet counts associated with anaemia.
"The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more fatigued than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded," reads the official statement issued by the Vatican.
Doctors have further stated that the Pope's condition is "touch-and-go" and that he is by no means out of danger.
Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, after a weeklong battle with bronchitis developed into pneumonia.
While the Pope stated he was in good health, his condition has now worsened. Doctors have also warned of the onset of Sepsis, however, the 88-year-old has shown no symptoms of sepsis.
Will The Pope Resign?
Amid the Pope's health concerns, the Vatican has clamped down on the rumours regarding Francis' resignation.
Pope Francis has also addressed the possibility of his resignation due to ill health in his autobiography, which was published last week.
Whenever a pope falls ill, the sense of a conclave seems to loom,” he wrote.
“The truth is that even during my surgery, I never considered resigning. The Church is led by both the head and the heart, not by the legs,” he added further.
