Pope is “stable” day after breathing crises, remains vigilant, Catholic standard

Pope Francis had no other respiratory crises a day after the experience of two of them, the Vatican said, and his condition remained “stable”.

The 88-year-old Pope “did not present any episodes of breathing insufficiency or bronchospasm,” said the Vatican in his evening medical bulletin on March 4. He remained without a fever, “always attentive, worked together and oriented with therapy”.

Nevertheless, his doctors said in the Gemelli hospital in Rome, his “forecast remains guarded”.

The bulleter said that the Pope had “switched to oxygen therapy with a high river in the morning and carried out” breathing physiotherapy “, which often consists of breathing exercises.

Pope Francis had suffered “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency” on March 3, which occurred if the lungs do not effectively take sufficient oxygen or show enough carbon dioxide to cover the needs of the body.

These crises caused doctors to bring the Pope back to the “non -invasive mechanical ventilation” – a treatment that delivers air with additional oxygen through a densely adapted facial mask and uses an overpressure to support breathing. He also underwent two bronchoscopies that day, “but remained vigilant, oriented and cooperative at all times,” said the Vatican.

Although the Pope no longer needed oxygen through a breathing mask during the day on March 4, the Vatican said in his evening bulletin that “as planned, not invasive mechanical ventilation will be resumed until tomorrow morning”.

“He switched between prayer and calm during the day and received the Eucharist this morning,” added.

A source of the Vatican said that tests showed that the heart and kidney function of Pope Francis was stable. The doctors previously recognized mild kidney impairments and a small number of platelets in the Pope's blood, but these problems seemed to be under control.

The Pope received no visitors to the hospital on March 4, added the source.

A group of Argentine creditors put a statue of our dear wife of Luján, the Argentina, at the base of the St. Johannes Paul II statue under the Pope's room in the Gemelli Hospital.

The Vatican also announced that the retreat continued for high -ranking members of the Roman Curia in “Spiritual Community with the Holy Father”, which had been taken to the hospital since February 14.

The topic “Hope for Eternal Life” was selected weeks ago, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

The retreat is to take place in the Paul VI audience hall of the Vatican and led by Capuchin father Roberto Pasolini, the new preacher of the papal household.

Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dizaster for Divine Adoration and the discipline of the sacraments, should lead the nightly recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis on St. Peter's Square on March 4.