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According to the Vatican, Pope Francis remains in a stable condition despite his ongoing lung inflammation. The news comes as the pontiff had to postpone his trip to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit due to his health issues. In a recent communiqué, the Vatican stated that Pope Francis does not have a fever but still experiences respiratory difficulties.
During his visit to Portugal for the XXXVII World Youth Day in August 2023, Pope Francis had the opportunity to meet with university students from the Pontifical Catholic University. However, his health concerns have been a topic of concern, as he continues to receive antibiotic treatment to treat the infection.
Pope Francis has a history of pulmonary issues. In 2013, the Vatican announced that he had a portion of his lung removed due to a respiratory illness he had when he was young. At the age of 21, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the current pope, experienced a severe respiratory illness, leaving him between life and death for three days. He suffered from high fever and confusion, while doctors struggled to diagnose his condition. Eventually, it was determined that he had severe pneumonia and three cysts in his lungs. As a result, he underwent surgery to remove a portion of his right lung.
More recently, in March 2023, Pope Francis spent three days at the Policlínica Gemelli in Rome, Italy, to treat an acute pneumonia. However, the Vatican has assured the public that complications did not arise from the treatment.
Since 2022, Pope Francis has had a personal health assistant, a nurse, who monitors his wellbeing. He has been using a cane since May of the previous year to alleviate right knee pain. In 2021, the pope underwent coronary surgery at the Gemelli hospital, which resulted in complications and the decision to forgo knee surgery. He has also been known to suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain, causing him to skip certain official ceremonies.
In a recent interview with Argentine doctor and journalist Nelson Castro, Pope Francis revealed additional health concerns. He mentioned receiving Chinese acupuncture for coastal pain while in Argentina and experiencing gallbladder calculi. Furthermore, in 2004, he faced a temporary cardiac problem due to mild arterial stenosis.
Despite these health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to carry out his duties as the leader of the Catholic Church. His resilience and commitment have been admired by many, although his health remains a subject of concern for his supporters and the wider public alike. As Pope Francis works towards recovery, the world eagerly waits for his return to full health and his ongoing efforts in advocating for climate action and other important causes.
