Key points
- Pope suffered a breathing crisis: Doctor
- The decision to continue treatment was made by the Pope’s nurse
- Pope is scheduled to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla
ISLAMABAD: The medical team caring for Pope Francis considered halting his treatment and allowing him to pass away, according to the lead doctor, during the Pontiff’s prolonged battle with a respiratory illness.
Pope’s doctor Professor Sergio Alfieri, speaking to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, described the most critical moment as occurring on February 28, when the Pope suffered a breathing crisis and inhaled his vomit, according to Reuters.
“We had to decide whether to stop and let him go or to continue with all available drugs and therapies, knowing there was a very high risk of damaging other organs. In the end, we chose to press on,” Alfieri explained.
Alfieri, who led the medical team at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, said the decision to continue treatment was made by the Pope’s nurse.
We had to decide whether to stop and let him go or to continue with all available drugs and therapies, knowing there was a very high risk of damaging other organs. In the end, we chose to press on.” – Pope’s doctor Professor Sergio Alfieri
“The Holy Father always makes the final decision. He entrusted all health-related decisions to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health assistant, who knows the Pontiff’s wishes well.”
Pope’s breathing crises
Strappetti reportedly told Alfieri, “Try everything, we won’t give up. That’s what we all thought too. And no one gave up.”
After 38 days in hospital, the longest of his four stays since becoming pope, Francis was discharged on March 23.
Try everything, we won’t give up. That’s what we all thought too. And no one gave up.” – Pope’s personal health assistant Massimiliano Strappetti
Throughout his stay, the Pontiff experienced several breathing crises, two of which, according to Alfieri, posed a serious threat to his life.
During this time, the Vatican provided an unprecedented level of detail regarding Francis’ condition, with Alfieri stating that the Pope requested complete transparency from the outset. “From the first day, he asked us to tell him the truth and wanted us to share the truth about his condition. Nothing was ever altered or concealed,” he said.
Now back at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, Francis will undergo treatments, including physiotherapy for mobility, respiratory therapy, and voice recovery, as well as engage in personal prayer, the Vatican confirmed.
24-hour medical care
Doctors have recommended that the pope receive 24-hour medical care, including oxygen therapy, and be monitored for any emergencies.
Francis will gradually resume his duties and has already returned to some tasks, including signing documents, showing his determination to continue in his role.
He had been scheduled to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla for a state visit to the Holy See next month, but Buckingham Palace announced the visit had been postponed due to medical advice recommending the pope take additional time to rest and recuperate.
Although the King and Queen’s visit to Italy will still go ahead, some adjustments to the programme are expected.
Though Francis has not led the Angelus prayer for the past seven Sundays, he has still offered reflections each week, most recently calling for “peace” in conflict zones, according to CNN.
You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance: thank you so much! I also pray for you. Let us #PrayTogether for #Peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 23, 2025
In a post on X, he thanked followers for their continued prayers, saying, “You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance. Thank you so much. I also pray for you. Let us pray together for peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
