ROME (AP) \u2014 Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical condition at Gemelli Hospital, fighting pneumonia and a severe lung infection, the Vatican reported Sunday. Blood tests revealed early kidney failure, though it\u2019s manageable, and despite needing high-flow oxygen, he\u2019s alert and even attended Mass. Doctors caution his prognosis is uncertain due to his frailty and age.
\nAfter a respiratory scare Saturday, his condition stabilized, but he\u2019s still vulnerable. The Vatican noted no further crises, though his complex health\u2014worsened by chronic lung issues\u2014keeps hope tempered. Admitted February 14 after bronchitis escalated, he\u2019s on antibiotics, cortisone, and rest, with treatments like blood transfusions showing some progress.
\nPrayers flooded in worldwide. In Argentina, Buenos Aires\u2019 cathedral and obelisk lit up in solidarity. Cairo\u2019s grand imam, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, called Francis a \u201cbrother\u201d in wishing him well, while New York\u2019s Cardinal Dolan spoke of rallying at \u201ca dying father\u2019s bedside,\u201d yet clung to hope. Roman kids sent cards, and Italian bishops held special Masses.
\nFrancis couldn\u2019t lead Sunday\u2019s Holy Year Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, so Archbishop Rino Fisichella stepped in, sharing the pope\u2019s prepared words: a call for prayers and a nod to Ukraine\u2019s invasion anniversary. Though bedridden, Francis feels \u201cpresent,\u201d his team said.
\nHis recent moves\u2014like simplifying his funeral rites, naming new cardinals, and extending key Vatican roles\u2014suggest he\u2019s long prepared for this fragility, aware time may be running out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ROME (AP) \u2014 Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical condition at Gemelli Hospital, fighting pneumonia and a severe lung infection, the Vatican reported Sunday. Blood tests revealed early kidney failure, though it\u2019s manageable, and despite needing high-flow oxygen, he\u2019s alert and even attended Mass. Doctors caution his prognosis is uncertain due to his frailty and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":225706,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[138280],"tags":[138600],"class_list":["post-225705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-world-news"],"yoast_head":"\n