Pope Francis was in a life-threatening health crisis during his recent hospital stay, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the leader of the medical team attending to the Pope. At one point, the doctors had considered stopping treatment to allow the Pope a peaceful death.
On February 28, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church suffered a severe asthma attack, in which he inhaled vomit, leading to severe respiratory problems that put him at risk of not recovering, Dr. Alfieri explained in an interview with Corriere della Sera published on Tuesday.
Despite the risks of organ damage, the medical team decided to pursue an aggressive treatment plan. Dr. Alfieri said, “We had to decide whether to stop and let him go or to continue with all the possible medications and therapies.”
The decision to continue treatment was reportedly influenced by the Pope’s personal caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, who urged the team to “try everything and not give up.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which developed into a double pneumonia. His condition was particularly concerning due to his previous lung problems and the fact that a part of his lung was removed in his youth.
During his 38-day hospital stay, the Pope experienced several respiratory crises and required intensive care. On March 23, he was discharged and made his first public appearance since February 14, greeting well-wishers from the hospital balcony. Since then, he has returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery. According to Vatican News on March 25, Pope Francis is already engaging in his duties as the head of the Catholic Church again. During the ongoing Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (March 24-28), the Pope expressed his support for the protection of minors and vulnerable people.