Pope Francis Suffers New Respiratory Crises, Remains in Hospital
Pope Francis suffered two new acute respiratory crises on Monday and was placed back on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pope has been battling a complex respiratory infection for over two weeks.
Doctors extracted "copious" amounts of mucus from his lungs during two bronchoscopies, which involved using a camera-tipped tube to suction out fluid. The Vatican said the mucus was a reaction to the original pneumonia infection, not a new infection, based on laboratory tests.
Francis remained alert, oriented, and cooperative with medical personnel, but the prognosis remains guarded. The Vatican did not say if he remains in stable condition, suggesting that the crises may have passed.
The latest setbacks are a new challenge in the pope’s battle against his chronic lung disease and the removal of part of one lung. The Vatican has defended Francis’ decision to recover in private, but one of his closest friends, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, has urged him to let his voice be heard, saying the world needs to hear it.
Francis wrote a message to the Pontifical Academy for Life, lamenting that international organizations are increasingly ineffective in combating global threats and are being undermined by "short-sighted attitudes concerned with protecting particular and national interests."
Doctors often use noninvasive ventilation to stave off intubation, or the use of invasive mechanical ventilation. Francis has not been intubated during this hospitalization, and it is unclear if he has provided any advance directives about the limits of his care if he declines or loses consciousness.
Catholic teaching holds that life must be defended from conception until natural death, and that chronically ill patients, including those in vegetative states, must receive "ordinary" care such as hydration and nutrition. However, "extraordinary" or disproportionate care can be suspended if it is no longer beneficial or is only prolonging a precarious and painful life.
Conclusion:
Pope Francis’ ongoing battle against his respiratory infection is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of end-of-life care. As the Catholic Church’s teaching on the subject, the pope’s case highlights the need for clarity on the limits of care and the importance of respecting patients’ wishes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is Pope Francis’ current condition?
Pope Francis is suffering from a complex respiratory infection and is being treated with noninvasive mechanical ventilation. - Will Pope Francis be intubated?
It is unclear if Pope Francis has provided advance directives about the limits of his care if he declines or loses consciousness. - What is the Catholic Church’s teaching on end-of-life care?
The Catholic Church teaches that life must be defended from conception until natural death, and that chronically ill patients must receive "ordinary" care such as hydration and nutrition. However, "extraordinary" or disproportionate care can be suspended if it is no longer beneficial or is only prolonging a precarious and painful life.
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