Pope Francis had two episodes of ‘acute respiratory insufficiency’, Vatican says

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, suffered two episodes of “acute respiratory insufficiency” on Monday and required use of non-invasive, mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said.

Francis has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for more than two weeks. He was admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that triggered other complications

Francis had inhaled “copious” amounts of mucus in another setback in what has become a more than two-week battle to overcome a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia.

In a late update, the Vatican said the episodes were caused by a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs and bronchial spasms. “Two bronchoscopies were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican said.

The pope remained alert, oriented and cooperated with medical staff.

The prognosis remained guarded.