Doctor discloses the extent of the Pope's near-death experience
Pope Francis encountered a life-threatening health crisis during his recent hospitalization, and doctors contemplated halting treatment to allow him to die peacefully, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the pontiff’s medical team. On...
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Pope Francis encountered a life-threatening health crisis during his recent hospitalization, and doctors contemplated halting treatment to allow him to die peacefully, according to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the pontiff’s medical team.
On February 28, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church faced severe breathing difficulties after inhaling vomit during a bronchospasm, which posed “a real risk he might not make it,” Dr. Alfieri shared in an interview with Corriere della Sera published on Tuesday.
In spite of the potential for organ damage, the medical team opted for aggressive treatment. “We had to choose if we would stop there and let him go, or to go forward and push it with all the drugs and therapies possible,” explained Alfieri, a physician at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
The decision to continue treatment was strongly influenced by Pope Francis’ personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who urged the team to “try everything; don’t give up.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis that escalated into double pneumonia. His condition was particularly alarming due to a history of lung issues, which included the removal of part of one lung in his youth.
Throughout his 38-day hospitalization, Pope Francis experienced multiple respiratory crises and required intensive medical intervention. On March 23, he was discharged and made his first public appearance since February 14, greeting well-wishers from the hospital balcony. He has since returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
On February 28, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church faced severe breathing difficulties after inhaling vomit during a bronchospasm, which posed “a real risk he might not make it,” Dr. Alfieri shared in an interview with Corriere della Sera published on Tuesday.
In spite of the potential for organ damage, the medical team opted for aggressive treatment. “We had to choose if we would stop there and let him go, or to go forward and push it with all the drugs and therapies possible,” explained Alfieri, a physician at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
The decision to continue treatment was strongly influenced by Pope Francis’ personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, who urged the team to “try everything; don’t give up.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with bronchitis that escalated into double pneumonia. His condition was particularly alarming due to a history of lung issues, which included the removal of part of one lung in his youth.
Throughout his 38-day hospitalization, Pope Francis experienced multiple respiratory crises and required intensive medical intervention. On March 23, he was discharged and made his first public appearance since February 14, greeting well-wishers from the hospital balcony. He has since returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
