Pope Francis Fights for Health: Updates from the Vatican
Hey, ho! Grab your rosaries and hold on to your hats—Pope Francis is back on social media, but he’s not out of the woods yet. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for over a week now, battling double pneumonia and receiving care in Rome’s Gemelli hospital. On February 23, he popped onto X (formerly Twitter) to express his heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers from around the globe. “I’ve received many messages of affection, particularly from children. Thank you for your closeness,” he posted, letting us know he’s feeling the love, even amid his “critical” condition.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Vatican’s official statement wasn’t exactly a comforting bedtime story—his health remains worrying, as blood tests reveal some “initial, mild, renal insufficiency.” High-flow oxygen therapy continues, but it seems we’re not looking at a speedy recovery just yet. Earlier this week, the Vatican indicated that his pneumonia led to an asthma-like respiratory crisis, requiring even more intensive care.
Here’s where it gets a little more concerning: blood tests revealed thrombocytopenia in addition to anemia, suggesting that Francis has been dealing with more than just your average lung infection. This situation forced the administration of blood transfusions, and even though he’s still alert and participating in Mass, he’s hardly living it up. One can only imagine the airplane-sized “Get Well Soon” cards pouring in from the faithful.
But let’s not forget,
Here’s hoping those prayers keep rolling in. Stay tuned for updates—this is one holy saga we won’t want to miss!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and NBC News, People Magazine, The Guardian
