Flowers, balloons, candles and different gadgets are laid exterior Gemelli hospital in Rome, on Feb. 26, the place Pope Francis is being handled.
Claire Harbage/NPR
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Claire Harbage/NPR
ROME — Pope Francis skilled additional respiratory hassle and went on noninvasive air flow on Monday, the Vatican mentioned, as the pinnacle of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia within the hospital.
The pope suffered two episodes of acute respiratory disaster, with a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms, the Vatican mentioned in an announcement.
It mentioned Francis then underwent two bronchoscopies to attempt to take away the massive mucus secretions. He then acquired noninvasive mechanical air flow.
The developments come because the 88-year-old pontiff entered a 3rd week in Rome’s Gemelli hospital. He was hospitalized on Feb. 14 following a bout of bronchitis.
“The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times,” the assertion mentioned Monday. “The prognosis remains guarded.”