Pope suffers further setback and is put onto ventilation

Pope Francis suffered two new acute breathing crises yesterday and has been put back on ventilation, the Vatican said showing the 88-year-old’s struggle with pneumonia is far from over.

- HOLLY EVANS

The pontiff also underwent two lung scans and is suffering from congestion in his chest. Since he entered hospital on 14 February with a complex lung infection, no photos or videos have been released of him, in what is now the longest absence of his almost 12-year papacy.

Francis had inhaled “copious” amounts of mucus in another setback in what has become a more than two-week battle to overcome a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia.

In a late update yesterday, the Vatican said the episodes were caused by a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms. “Two bronchoscopies were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican said.

The pope remains alert and has spoken and cooperated with his doctors and nursing staff.