Less than a day after the Vatican stated that, "The Pope had a peaceful night," Pope Francis donned a respirator again.
On the 3rd (local time), the Vatican announced, "Today, the Pope experienced acute respiratory distress twice," and stated in a notice, "He resumed respirator treatment from the afternoon." The Vatican explained, "The problems arose due to the bronchi constricting from mucus accumulation," adding, "The Pope had to have mucus removed from his bronchi through two endoscopic examinations and procedures."
Additionally, even during respirator treatment, "The Pope has always been alert and aware, and was cooperative during the procedures," it noted. The Pope was hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on the 14th of last month due to respiratory illness caused by a polymicrobial infection. The Vatican reported that on the 3rd, the 18th day since the Pope was admitted, "The Pope has been in stable condition for three days now," adding that he "slept comfortably last night."
The Pope is reported to have pneumonia in both lungs. His hospitalization period is the longest since his inauguration in March 2013. The Vatican had informed on the 22nd of last month that the Pope's condition was serious and that he was experiencing respiratory distress. Subsequently, the Pope showed signs of recovery while receiving high-flow oxygen therapy, and since the 26th of the same month, the Vatican stopped using the term "serious."
However, on the 28th of last month, he again experienced temporary respiratory distress along with vomiting, and the Pope received respirator treatment and high-flow oxygen supply. Two days later, on the 1st, media notices reported that the Pope's condition was stable again, and the need for respirator treatment had become unnecessary. The Vatican is communicating the Pope's health status but remains cautious regarding his recovery.