Pope Francis' Health Status Remains Worrisome, Calls for Global Prayer

Pope Francis remains in critical condition as the Vatican confirms he is receiving ongoing treatment amid respiratory health issues, while urging global prayers from the Catholic community.

Pope Francis' health continues to be a matter of concern as the Vatican confirmed on Sunday that he remains in "critical" condition while battling pneumonia. Despite undergoing blood transfusions and receiving high-flow oxygen therapy, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises since the last update.

A previous statement had revealed that the Pope faced a respiratory crisis this past Saturday, raising alarms about his deteriorating health. However, Vatican officials noted that he remains “alert and well oriented,” though mild kidney problems have been reported.

Pope Francis, who was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to a series of breathing difficulties, had initially been treated for bronchitis before the dual pneumonia diagnosis. Undeterred, he called on Catholics across the globe to pray for him, unable to participate in delivering the traditional Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week.

As part of his recovery, the pontiff joined in on a morning Holy Mass with his caretakers, illustrating his resilience despite his current challenges. Historically, Pope Francis has been vulnerable to pneumonia complications due to a past pleurisy condition and partial lung removal during his earlier years.

Since assuming the papacy 12 years ago, he has made multiple trips to the hospital for various health-related issues, including earlier bronchitis treatment. With roots in Argentina, Pope Francis is not just the first Latin American but also the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.