Pope Francis "slept through the night"
at Rome's Gemelli hospital and "now continues to rest", the
Vatican Press Office said on Tuesday after he suffered two
episodes of acute respiratory failure Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital on February
14 and is being treated for bilateral pneumonia.
The Vatican said the respiratory failures were caused by "a
significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent
bronchospasm".
It said that bronchoscopies were performed to remove the mucus
buildup that caused the episodes and that doctors had resumed
non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
"The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all
times," it said, adding that tests showed that he does not have
an elevated white blood cell count, suggesting he has no new
respiratory infection.
Nevertheless, his clinical condition remains complex, further
respiratory crises are possible and the prognosis remains
"guarded," it said.
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