Pope Francis stable after ‘bronchospasm’ and on oxygen therapy

The Vatican has said Pope Francis is in a stable condition after yesterday experiencing what doctors described as a “bronchospasm”, requiring him to be temporarily put on a non-invasive ventilator.

In a March 1 statement, the Vatican said, “the Holy Father’s clinical conditions remain stable.”

Throughout the day the Pope reportedly alternated use of a non-invasive ventilator, in which a mask covering his nose and mouth is sealed to his face, and oxygen therapy administered through the nose, with “a positive response to the exchange of gasses”.

Pope Francis does not have a fever and he also shows no signs of leukocytosis, meaning a high white blood cell count, the Vatican said, adding that his laboratory blood tests continue to be stable.

Despite the crisis on 28 February, the Pope continues to eat normally and regularly undergoes respiratory physiotherapy, and is “actively collaborating” with doctors’ orders, the statement said, adding that there have been no further spasms in the past 24 hours.

The Pope was described as being “always vigilant and oriented”, the Vatican said, adding that he spent the afternoon in prayer after receiving the Eucharist.

Given the precariousness of the Pope’s condition, doctors are still refraining from offering an overall prognosis.

Today’s update comes after Francis suffered a bronchospasm on Friday, 28 February, meaning the muscles lining the bronchi, the tubes that connect the windpipe to the lungs, constricted and narrowed, causing him to inhale some of his own vomit.

The gastric contents he inhaled were immediately suctioned out and doctors began use of NIV, or non-invasive ventilation, which is a step between the regular oxygen mask, and a full mechanical ventilator in which the patient is intubated.

With NIV treatment, an oxygen mask is tightly sealed to the nose and mouth so there is no seepage of air, inducing pressure that is helpful for inhalation when the patient is too weak to inhale properly on their own.

Francis has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for over two weeks, after being admitted on 14 February for treatment of bronchitis, and later being diagnosed with a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia.

Though he continues to make appointments and sign documents from his hospital room, his forthcoming public and private audiences have been canceled.

Pope Francis’s Jubilee general audience scheduled for Saturday morning on 2 March has been canceled due to his hospital stay, and he will not give his Sunday Angelus address for the third week in a row; however, the Vatican will distribute the text for publication.

Masses, rosaries and other prayers have been offered for the Pope throughout his hospital stay, including inside at Gemelli, at the Vatican and throughout the city of Rome, as well as across the world.

Tonight, Italian Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Eastern Churches, is set to lead a rosary for the pope and his health in St. Peter’s Square.

Photo:  Catholic faithful hold candles during a mass for the health of Pope Francis at the complex of the statue of Christ the Protector, Encantado, Brazil, 27 February 2025. (Photo by SILVIO AVILA/AFP via Getty Images.)

The post Pope Francis stable after ‘bronchospasm’ and on oxygen therapy first appeared on Catholic Herald.

The post Pope Francis stable after ‘bronchospasm’ and on oxygen therapy appeared first on Catholic Herald.