The Holy Father's condition remains critical, therefore, as explained yesterdaythe Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which also required the administration of high-flow oxygen.
In addition, today's blood tests showed thrombocytopenia associated with anaemia, which necessitated the administration of haemotransfusions.
The Holy Father remains awake and spent the day in his chair, albeit with more pain than yesterday. The prognosis is uncertain at this time.
Briefing on Friday 21 February
Speaking at a press conference at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the team caring for the Pope, and Dr Luigi Carbone, deputy director of the Vatican Health Service, to a room full of journalists. The briefing on the evening of Friday 21 February lasted about forty minutes.
Hospitalization will last all next week
A pair of doctors said they believe the Pope will be hospitalized "at least" for the next week.
Dr Alfieri stressed that the Pope is not attached to a ventilator, although he still struggles with breathing and as a result has limited physical movement.
However, he said the Pope was sitting upright in his chair, working and joking as usual. Alfieri said that when one of the doctors greeted the Pope with the words "Good day, Holy Father", the Pope replied "Good day, Holy Son".
Risk of contamination of the bloodstream
Asked by a reporter what their biggest fear was, the doctors noted that there was a risk that germs in the Pope's respiratory tract could enter his bloodstream and cause sepsis.
However, Dr Alfieri said he is confident that Pope Francis will leave the hospital at some point and return to St Martha's House at the Vatican - adding that when he does, his chronic breathing problems will persist.
Pope will not lead Sunday Marian prayer
The Holy See also announced on Saturday afternoon, February 22, that the Pope will not lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday, February 23, but the text of his catechesis will be made public, as he did last Sunday.
Prior to the Marian prayer, a Mass with the ordination of deacons is scheduled for 9 am in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the Jubilee of Permanent Deacons. According to the Holy See Press Office, the principal celebrant will be Archbishop Rino Fisichella - Vice Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World - who will read the text of the homily prepared by Pope Francis for the occasion
vaticanews/ gnews.cz - RoZ
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