Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital with Severe Bilateral Pneumonia

Experts warn of increased risks as the Pope, aged 88, faces potential complications from his hospitalization.

Pope Francis is currently hospitalized, undergoing treatment for bilateral pneumonia, as confirmed by the Vatican on Tuesday. This serious condition indicates pneumonia affecting both of his lungs, a fact noted by Dr. James Musser, director of infectious diseases at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, highlighting that he cannot provide specific insights into the Pope's health without an examination.

Pneumonia is primarily an infection of the lungs' airways. The body reacts defensively, resulting in inflamed lungs filled with immune cells, which can lead to symptoms such as fever, cough, and chills. Medical professionals often assess pneumonia by requesting the patient to vocalize a long "e," which, when listened to through a stethoscope, typically sounds like "a" in affected individuals.

While pneumonia is usually manageable at home for the general populace, it can be hazardous for seniors. Infectious disease specialists emphasize that the risks escalate significantly for those over the age of 85, with Pope Francis currently at 88—a critical point noted by Dr. Peter Chin-Hong of the University of California, San Francisco.

The prime culprit of pneumonia is often the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, as highlighted by Dr. Chin-Hong. Furthermore, he mentioned that pneumonia could be treated with antibiotics; however, complications can arise if bacteria spread beyond the lungs, leading to sepsis—a severe condition. Vaccinations can reduce the risk of sepsis, but they do not entirely prevent pneumonia itself.

Dr. Paul Pottinger added that while bacterial pneumonia can involve both lungs, it typically remains localized to one lobe. In contrast, most cases of bilateral pneumonia arise from viral infections, such as influenza or other bacterial species, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Legionella, mycoplasma, and chlamydia. He corroborated Dr. Chin-Hong's perspective on the daunting nature of Pope Francis's situation, iterating, “It is a very scary situation.”

Gina Kolata, a journalist specializing in diseases and treatments, discusses how emerging treatments can significantly impact patients’ lives. More coverage regarding the Roman Catholic Church and Pope Francis will be available as the situation develops.