Pope Francis' condition suddenly worsens with 'prognosis uncertain' says Vatican

The Vatican has said Pope Francis has experienced a "sudden worsening" of his health with a prognosis that is "uncertain".

The Pope has been in hospital in Rome for two weeks in his recovery from pneumonia, but had experienced an “isolated attack of bronchospasm which caused an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition".

The leader of the Catholic Church had “bronchoaspiration and was put on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response in terms of gas exchange" and remained "alert," a spokesperson said. He "cooperated with the therapeutic measures", but the "prognosis therefore remains uncertain".

Before the issue, Francis had been "alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayer in the chapel".

The update came after officials said earlier today that doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection. Francis has been at Gemelli Hospital since February 14 after his bronchitis worsened.

The Vatican’s update on Friday morning also suggested a level of normalcy and routine as the 88-year-old continues recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

“As in past days, the night was tranquil and the Pope now is resting,” the Vatican said.

The Vatican, though, made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still has a long road ahead.

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the March 5 ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter in April.

In their Thursday evening bulletin, doctors said Francis’ clinical condition had confirmed that he was improving.

The Pope was alternating the high-flow supplemental oxygen he had been receiving by a nasal tube with a mask in a sign of improved respiratory function.

Additionally, Francis left his hospital room to go to his nearby private chapel to pray, while continuing with respiratory physiotherapy and work, the Vatican said.

For the second day in a row, doctors avoided saying Francis was in a critical condition, suggesting he had overcome the most acute phase of the infection.

But given the complexity of his lung infection, they said “further days of clinical stability are needed” before they revise their prognosis officially and say he is out of danger.

The pontiff had shown steady, albeit slight improvements since a respiratory crisis and kidney trouble over the weekend sparked fears for his life. The improvements beat back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or a conclave and signalled that he is still very much in charge.

Prayers continue to pour in from around the world for the Pope.

Despite his improvements, Francis’ near-term upcoming calendar of events is being changed. The Vatican cancelled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remains to be seen if Francis would miss his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row.

In past years, when Francis has battled bronchitis and influenza in winter, he curbed his participation in Ash Wednesday and Holy Week events, which call for the pope to be outdoors in the cold leading services, participating in processions and presiding over prayers in the solemn period in which the faithful commemorate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.