Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church has been reported to be in critical condition on Saturday following his week-long hospitalization for a lung infection.
According to a new report, doctors warned the 88-year-old pontiff that he was at risk of dying if he remained at the Vatican.
Consequently, he was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 21 with significant chest pain, having resisted calls to leave the Vatican for days.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been receiving treatment for a ‘complex’ respiratory infection which includes asthmatic bronchitis, necessitating the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. It was reported that the Pope has confided in close aides that he “might not make it this time”.
Pope Francis has taken steps to ensure the continuation of his legacy, including appointing Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first female governor of Vatican City.
In a statement shared by the Vatican City, they said the pontiff’s “is not out of danger” as his condition continues to deteriorate. It’s the first time “critical” had been used in a written statement to describe Francis’ condition since his hospitalisation on 14 February.
It is worth noting that Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936) is the leader of the Catholic Church and the ruler of Vatican City. He is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European pope since the 8th century.