Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday that led to him inhaling vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, according to the Vatican. This episode marks an alarming setback in his two-week battle with double pneumonia.
Despite the crisis, the 88-year-old pontiff remained conscious, alert, and cooperative with medical interventions. His response was positive, with good oxygen exchange levels, and he continued using a mask to receive supplemental oxygen, the Vatican reported.
The incident, which occurred in the afternoon, caused a “sudden worsening of the respiratory situation,” prompting doctors to keep his prognosis reserved. They stated that they would need 24 to 48 hours to assess how the episode had affected his overall condition.
This new development marks a setback after two days of increasingly optimistic reports from the doctors treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14. The pope, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, suffers from a lung disease and was hospitalized after a bout of bronchitis worsened into pneumonia in both lungs.
Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, called the episode concerning, emphasizing the pope’s fragility and how quickly his condition could change.
“I think this is extremely alarming, given that the pope has been hospitalized for over two weeks and continues to have respiratory complications. Now, he has also suffered an aspiration event that requires even higher levels of support,” he told The Associated Press.
Non-invasive ventilation methods include devices like the BiPAP machine, which helps patients breathe by pushing air into the lungs. Doctors often use this method temporarily to determine whether the patient’s blood gas levels improve enough for them to return to receiving only supplemental oxygen.
The episode was described as an “isolated bronchial spasm crisis,” meaning a coughing fit in which the pope inhaled vomit. In contrast, the respiratory crisis he experienced on February 22 was more severe, as he struggled significantly to breathe, according to the Vatican.
While doctors have not resumed referring to his condition as “critical” in recent days, they caution that he is still not out of danger due to the complexity of his case.
Before the episode, Francis had spent the morning alternating between high-flow supplemental oxygen and a mask, as well as praying in the chapel. He also had breakfast, read the day’s newspapers, and underwent respiratory physiotherapy, according to the Vatican’s report.
