Pope Francis’ Health Journey: From Lung Inflammation to Recent Surgical Procedures
According to a statement released by the Vatican on Thursday (29), Pope Francis is currently in stable condition, although he is still dealing with lung inflammation and respiratory difficulties. The Pope’s health issues have led to the postponement of his trip to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
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During his visit to Portugal for the XXXVII World Youth Day in August 2023, Pope Francis had the opportunity to meet with university students from the Pontifical Catholic University. However, his health concerns have become a cause for concern, and the Vatican continues to closely monitor his condition.
Reuters reported that during his weekly audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis appeared visibly upset and did not speak. It is clear that his health issues are taking a toll on him both physically and emotionally.
In order to address the infection, Pope Francis is currently undergoing antibiotic treatment. This is not the first time the Pope has faced pulmonary issues. In 2013, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had a portion of his lung removed due to a respiratory illness he experienced in his youth.
The young Pope Francis had a brush with death at the age of 21. He suffered from a severe case of pneumonia and had three cysts in his lungs. Doctors were perplexed by his condition, and it took a while to bring the disease under control. Eventually, the Pope underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung.
In late March 2023, the Pope spent three days at the Policlínica Gemelli in Rome, Italy, to receive treatment for acute pneumonia. However, his health issues persist, and he continues to struggle with respiratory problems.
Recently, in June 2023, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had undergone a three-hour abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Fortunately, no complications arose from the procedure. The Pope’s health has become a cause for concern, and he now has a personal health assistant, a nurse, who closely monitors his well-being.
Since May of last year, Pope Francis has been using a cane due to right knee pain. He spent ten days at the Gemelli hospital in 2021 for a coronary surgery. However, the Pope has revealed that this operation left him with complications, leading him to forgo knee surgery.
Additionally, it is known that the Pope suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain, which can affect his mobility and require him to skip certain official ceremonies. In a recent interview, Pope Francis disclosed that while in Argentina, he sought treatment for coastal pain through Chinese acupuncture. He has also experienced gallbladder calculi and a temporary cardiac problem in 2004 due to a mild arterial stenosis.
Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis remains committed to his duties and responsibilities as the leader of the Catholic Church. The Vatican is providing him with the necessary medical care and support to ensure his well-being. The faithful around the world continue to keep the Pope in their thoughts and prayers, hoping for his speedy recovery.
