Pope suffers breathing crisis in pneumonia battle setback

The 88-year-old has responded well to treatment in hospital

- ROD ARDEHALI

The Pope suffered an “isolated” breathing crisis yesterday as he was treated in a hospital in Rome, according to reports from the Vatican.

Pope Francis had a bronchial spasm that required mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said in relaying a setback in his twoweek-long battle against double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff responded well, with a good level of gas exchange, and remained conscious and alert at all times, the Vatican said.

The development marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors who have been treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February. The episode, which occurred in the early afternoon, resulted in a “sudden worsening of the respiratory picture”. Doctors decided to keep his prognosis guarded.

The Vatican has already made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still had a long road ahead. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the 5 March ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter.