Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican, which said the 88-year-old pontiff’s medical conditions present a “complex picture.”
“The laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and clinical conditions of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican said in a Tuesday statement.
A “chest CT scan which the Holy Father received this afternoon … revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia that requires further pharmacological therapy,” Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said.
“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits,” the statement added.
Last week, the pope dealt with worsening bronchitis, and he was eventually hospitalized Friday.
After testing, the Vatican said Monday the pontiff was suffering from polymicrobial respiratory tract infection.
Double pneumonia, also known as bilateral pneumonia, is a lung infection that impacts both lungs and can make it harder for the patient to breathe. The treatment for the infection varies based on the severity and the cause but can include oxygen therapy and antibiotics and other medications.
Francis is breathing on his own and was not put on a ventilator, a Vatican official speaking on background said earlier Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Public events on the pope’s calendar have been shut down at least through Sunday.
Those cancellations come as a Vatican Holy Year is marked throughout 2025, bringing millions of pilgrims to Rome.
