Pope Francis’s condition is now “critical,” the Vatican has announced.
In a statement on Saturday, the Vatican revealed that Francis was suffering from a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen.
“The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday,” the statement read.
”At the moment the prognosis is reserved.”
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is in critical condition after experiencing a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis this morning.
Though still in danger, the Pope has spent the day resting in an armchair.
The end could be near for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/g3tCaRSbth
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) February 22, 2025
His personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, recently warned that he is “not out of danger” after reports that his condition was improving.
“Like all fragile patients I say they are always on the golden scale: In other words, it takes very little to become unbalanced,” he explained.
While there is obvious concern that the Pope may soon pass away, there is also speculation that he even if he staged a recovery he would still have to resign due to his declining health.
Earlier this week,the Vatican department chief of cultural affairs, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, said that this is the most likely outcome.
He explained:
I think he could do it because he is a person who is quite decisive in his choices,/
He has always had the tendency to fight and react and that is a legitimate choice too, because he has been able to handle trips in very difficult and challenging conditions, like the one in the Far East’, Cardinal Ravasi said, referring to the Pope’s gruelling 20,000-mile trip last year to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
However, there is no question that if he found himself in a situation where he was compromised in his ability to have direct contact – as he loves to do – to be able to communicate in an immediate, incisive and decisive way, then I believe he might consider resigning.
Amid Conflicting Reports About Pope Francis’ Condition, Italian Cardinal Now Says Pontiff May Resign Due to Ill Health
Should the Pope pass away, the Vatican will enter a period of mourning.
His death is confirmed Camerlengo (the papal chamberlain), traditionally by tapping the Pope’s head with a silver hammer and calling his name three times.
The Papal Apartments are then sealed, and funeral arrangements begin, usually held within nine days.
Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals gathers to organize the conclave, where cardinals under 80 vote in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope.
When a decision is reached, white smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney, introducing the next leader of the Catholic Church.
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