On February 22, the Vatican reported that Francis suffered a prolonged respiratory crisis in which he was really struggling to breathe. Although doctors had mentioned that he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection, they did not confirm that he was completely out of danger. The Vatican decided to make alternative plans for the Ash Wednesday mass, indicating that the pope still has a long road to recovery ahead.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis will preside over the Ash Wednesday ceremony on March 5, while the pope continues to recover at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Vatican's statement mentioned that Francis had left his room to pray in his nearby private chapel, in addition to continuing with respiratory physiotherapy and other work.
The doctors avoided stating again that the pontiff was in critical condition, indicating that he had surpassed the most serious phase of the infection. On Friday, Francis experienced a coughing episode that resulted in the inhalation of vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation to resolve the situation. Despite this, he remained conscious and alert at all times.
This episode led the doctors to maintain a cautious prognosis regarding Francis's health, following a two-week battle against double pneumonia. His condition was affected by a "sudden worsening of the respiratory situation," and specialists needed 24 to 48 hours to assess his overall clinical status after the incident.
Doctors described the episode as an "isolated bronchial spasm crisis" triggered by a coughing attack in which he inhaled vomit. They emphasized that the Pope was resting after the situation and that the favorable evolution of his lung infection required more days of clinical stability before confirming that he was out of danger.
Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to complications arising from bronchitis. Despite constant but slight improvements, concerns for his health were reflected in the need for high-flow supplemental oxygen, although he had recently started using a mask, suggesting better respiratory function.
