VATICAN CITY: The health of Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, remains critical, prompting prayers around the world for his recovery. Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, but his condition has worsened.
According to Vatican officials, he was given high-flow oxygen on Saturday due to severe breathing difficulties and also had to undergo a blood transfusion due to anemia.
A statement issued by the Vatican on Sunday morning said that “the night was peaceful, the Pope rested”, which is considered a positive sign. However, he is still receiving oxygen through a tube in his nose and a full recovery may take time.
Pope Francis, who has been the head of the Catholic Church since 2013, issued a message from the hospital in which he said, “I have complete confidence in my treatment, and I ask for your prayers.”
At the Vatican, devotees of the pope lit candles and prayed for his health, while a special prayer service was also held in Rome. A statement issued by the Vatican on Saturday night said that “the pope’s condition remains critical, and he is not out of danger.”
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera wrote: “The pope’s condition has worsened,” while La Repubblica called it “the darkest day for the Vatican.
