Pope Francis’ health condition suffers a sudden twist

Vatican says he remains orientedand alert

The health condition of Pope Francis took a twist as the Catholic Pontiff suffered a sudden episode of respiratory difficulty on Friday.

According to the latest medical update from the Vatican, Pope Francis was reportedly put on a breathing machine on Friday,

The Vatican said the episode was complicated by vomiting, some of which he aspirated, the Vatican said. This simply means the Pope accidentally inhaled the vomit into his airways and lungs.

The Vatican said Medical staff treated the aspiration issue before putting the pope on mechanical ventilation.

A Vatican source told CNN that Francis is not intubated, but he is wearing a mask.

The Vatican added that the pontiff “remained alert and oriented at all times.”

A spokesperson of the Vatican later noted that the pope is not considered out of danger at this point.

The Vatican source told the online News Network that doctors expect to know more about his condition in the next 24-48 hours.

In its daily morning update on Saturday, the Vatican said the night passed “peacefully” for the 88-year-old pontiff and that he was resting.

Pope Francis was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago, after suffering a string of lung-related medical struggles, including bronchitis and then pneumonia.

His current hospitalization is his fourth, and now longest, stay since he became Pope in 2013.

The pontiff has suffered from lung-related issues for a greater of his life.

As a young man, he suffered from severe pneumonia and had part of one lung removed.

The Vatican has been releasing updates on the Pope’s health, twice daily.

On Thursday, it said that Francis’ condition was “improving” but his prognosis remained unclear.

The Catholic Pontiff’s schedule has been cleared to accommodate his intensive medical treatment.

Earlier on Friday, the Vatican announced that the pope will not lead next week’s Ash Wednesday service, marking the beginning of Lent.

This is only the second time in his 12-year papacy that the pope will not lead the Ash Wednesday service.

A cardinal is expected to lead the service instead.

On Friday night while praying for the pope, Argentinian Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández said: “Certainly it is close to the Holy Father’s heart that our prayers be not only for him, but also for all those who, in this particular dramatic and suffering moment of the world, bear the heavy burden of war, sickness, and poverty.”

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