Pope Francis was placed on “non-invasive mechanical ventilation” Friday afternoon following an episode of bronchospasm that caused him to inhale vomit, thus worsening his ongoing respiratory condition.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling double pneumonia over the past two weeks. He spent his morning receiving respiratory physiotherapy and praying in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to Vatican News.
Though reports said he’d shown “clinical improvement” earlier in the day, his condition worsened around 2 p.m. local time. But he was said to have still been alert and in good spirits following his ventilation.
The Vatican said the pope’s oxygen levels had returned to the levels they were at prior to the afternoon crisis, but described his prognosis as “guarded” Friday evening.
His doctors say they’ll need another 24 to 48 hours to know if the pope’s condition has worsened due to the inhalation of vomit, according to the U.S. Conference of Bishops.
Journalists wait outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized on Thursday. (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
The Vatican said Francis had been undergoing controlled oxygen therapy with a Ventimask since Thursday before requiring mechanical ventilation, which is capable of pumping greater amounts of oxygen.
Friday’s “isolated crisis” followed consecutive days of optimistic reports regarding the pope’s condition.
The Vatican nixed a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday. As of Friday evening, it was unclear if Francis would skip his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row.
Next week’s Ash Wednesday service will be handled by a cardinal.