Pope Francis’s condition has worsened (Image: Getty)
‘s health has suddenly worsened with a spasm which resulted in his breathing in vomit.
The pontiff suffered the bronchial spasm on Friday, with the saying the development required non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
It comes as a setback in the Pope’s two-week long battle against double pneumonia. In its latest update, the Vatican said the 88-year-old pope responded well, with a good level of gas exchange, and remained conscious and alert at all times.
The development marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors, who have been treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14.
Doctors have decided to keep the Pope’s prognosis as guarded after the episode earlier this afternoon.
Pope Francis has suffered a bronchial spasm (Image: Getty)
Francis spent Friday morning alternating between receiving high flows of extra oxygen and praying in the chapel.
The Vatican said the pontiff had eaten breakfast, read the day’s newspapers and was receiving respiratory physiotherapy.
Doctors did not resume referring to Francis as being in a “critical condition”, which has been absent from their statements for three days.
The Vatican has already made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear that Francis still has a long road ahead.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the March 5 ceremony and procession which marks the start of the Church’s solemn Lenten season, leading up to Easter in April.
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Pope Francis has been in hospital since February 14 (Image: Getty)
When Francis has battled bronchitis and influenza in past winters, he has curbed his participation in Ash Wednesday and Holy Week events, which require the Pope to be outdoors leading services, participating in processions and presiding over prayers.
The Vatican’s latest update comes as Francis reached the two-week mark in his recovery from pneumonia.
Doctors had previously suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection, but didn’t declare him out of danger entirely.
In their Thursday evening bulletin, doctors said Francis’s clinical condition had confirmed he was improving.
He had been alternating between the high-flow supplemental oxygen he had been receiving via a nasal tube with a mask in a sign of improved respiratory function.