Catholics around the world have been watching closely and praying about the health concerns of Pope Francis.
By all accounts, it was touch and go for the leader of the Catholic Church.
And Pope Francis’ doctor just admitted that the Pontiff’s medical team considered taking this one drastic action.
Pope Francis’ condition during his recent hospitalization was so serious that doctors considered ending his treatment, his lead doctor said in a recent interview.
“There was a risk that he might not make it”
Pope Francis’ recent five-week-long hospital stay led to fears of a possible papal resignation.
And since returning to the Vatican, he has been prescribed two months of rest and recovery.
“There was a risk that he might not make it,” Sergio Alfieri, a physician at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Alfieri recalled the moment after Francis had experienced breathing difficulties about two weeks into his hospital stay.
The medical team, he said, “had to choose whether to stop and let him go or force it and try with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs.”
“In the end, we took this path,” Alfieri said, adding that “no one gave up.”
This was a fitting decision for the Pope who despite other controversies within the church has steadfastly held to the Church’s strong pro-life stance.
Francis was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing bronchitis symptoms and was ultimately diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
And given his current prognosis, it was certainly the right call.
Since his release from the hospital, Pope Francis’ health condition continues to improve and he’s no longer facing immediate threat of dying from pneumonia, according to a recent update from the Vatican.
The Pope’s condition remains stable
After nearly a month in the hospital, the 88-year-old Pontiff’s “clinical condition remains stable,” the Vatican said.
The Vatican provided continual updates on the Pope’s condition during his month-long hospital stay and continues doing so now that he is back in the Vatican.
During his two months-long recovery, his doctors have said that he should avoid meeting with big groups.
His medical team also confirmed Francis will still have trouble speaking because he sustained serious damage to both his lungs and his respiratory muscles.
And the Pontiff will continue to receive supplemental oxygen, and 24-hour care as needed at his home next to St Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni would not confirm any of Francis’ upcoming events to the AP, but the pontiff’s personal physician said he hoped Francis would be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May.
He was also scheduled to receive King Charles III at the Vatican on April 8, Buckingham Palace announced last week.
And of course, Easter this year falls on April 20, and hopes are that Pope Francis will be able to participate in a number of Easter activities, including the Easter sermon.
His doctors have said that with continued rehabilitation, he should be able to resume normal activities soon.
Pro-Life Press will keep you up-to-date on any new developments to this ongoing story.
