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Pope Francis faced a life-threatening situation during his recent 38-day hospitalization due to pneumonia, according to Sergio Alfieri, the lead physician overseeing his care. The medical team contemplated halting treatment at one point to allow the Pope to die peacefully, indicating the severity of his condition.
On February 28, Francis experienced a significant breathing crisis that nearly resulted in choking. “There was a genuine risk that he might not survive,” Alfieri revealed in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera.
Faced with a critical decision, the medical team had to choose between ceasing treatment or continuing with aggressive interventions despite the potential for further harm to his other organs. “Ultimately, we decided to pursue treatment and take the associated risks,” Alfieri explained.
At 88 years old, Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican following this major health scare, marking one of the most serious challenges of his papacy, which has lasted for 12 years. He was initially admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 for bronchitis, which progressed to double pneumonia—a particularly dangerous condition for him given his history of pleurisy and lung surgery in his younger years.
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The Vatican released a considerable amount of information regarding the Pope’s health during his hospital stay, detailing four “respiratory crises” that mirrored asthma attacks, characterized by severe coughing fits due to airway constriction.
Dr. Alfieri previously mentioned that two of these crises were critical and posed a significant threat to the Pope’s life. In this latest interview, he highlighted the pivotal role of the Pope’s personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti. Following the vomiting incident, Strappetti urged the medical team to continue treatment without hesitation. “Try everything; don’t give up,” was the message relayed, according to Alfieri.
Despite the risks—including potential damage to the Pope’s kidneys and bone marrow—the medical team pressed on, and fortunately, Francis’s body showed signs of improvement as his lung infection began to resolve.
On the day of his discharge from the hospital, crowds gathered outside Gemelli to witness Pope Francis’ appearance. After leaving the hospital, he has been advised to take two more months for recuperation, although it remains uncertain how much public engagement he will have during this recovery period.
Reflecting on the Pope’s emergence onto the hospital balcony to greet supporters, Alfieri described this moment as profoundly moving. “Seeing him in white as he left the room on the 10th floor was an emotional experience—it signified his return to being the Pope once again,” he shared.
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www.cbc.ca