Pope Francis is in a critical condition, received two units of packed red blood cells by transfusion and experienced a mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control, the Holy See Press Office has said.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports mild renal insufficiency refers to a condition where the kidneys are not functioning optimally, meaning the kidneys are not filtering waste products from the blood as efficiently as they should, but not to a severe level requiring immediate intervention.
Recall that Pope Francis had “breathing difficulties”, and suspected of suffering from bronchitis, was subsequently hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia.
According to the Holy See Press Office in a statement, although the Holy Father’s condition remains critical, he was able to attend Holy Mass on Sunday, together with those who are caring for him.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical; however, since yesterday evening he has not had any further respiratory crises.
“During the morning, at the apartment on the 10th floor, he attended Holy Mass, together with those who are caring for him during these days of his hospital stay,” the statement reads in part.
The Holy See disclosed that Pope Francis “continues to be alert and focused” and that he continues to receive high-flow oxygen therapy.
“He has received two units of packed red blood cells with positive results and with a rise in the haemoglobin value.
“The thrombocytopenia has remained stable; however, some blood tests show initial, mild, renal insufficiency, which is currently under control.
“High-flow oxygen therapy continues via nasal cannulae. The Holy Father continues to be alert and focused.
“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary time required for pharmacological therapies to yield some results, require that the prognosis remain reserved,” the statement added.
Holy Father not “in danger of death – Pope’s doctors
Earlier, Pope’s doctors had disclosed that he would be hospitalised for “at least” the entirety stretch of the new week.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the Pope, and Dr Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of the Vatican’s healthcare service, said Pope Francis is not “in danger of death,” but that he is also not fully “out of danger”.
Speaking with journalists at a press conference in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Dr Alfieri emphasised that the Pope is not attached to a ventilator, although he is still struggling with his breathing and consequently keeping his physical movements limited.
Nevertheless, the physician said, the Pope is sitting upright in a chair, working, and joking as usual. Alfieri said that when one of the doctors greeted the Pope by saying “Hello, Holy Father”, he replied with “Hello, Holy Son”.
Asked by a journalist what their greatest fear is, the doctors noted that there is a risk that germs in the Pope’s respiratory tract might enter his bloodstream, causing sepsis.
Dr Alfieri did say, however, that he was confident that Pope Francis would leave the hospital at some point and return to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican – with the proviso that when he does so, his chronic respiratory issues will remain.