Pope Francis has allegedly informed his staff that he is concerned that he might not live through his current struggle with pneumonia and is preparing for his legacy, including possible thoughts about his successor.
The 88-year-old pope was admitted to hospital last Friday and diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, a serious lung infection that inflames and scars both lungs, making it harder to breathe. The Vatican gave an update on Monday that his condition was stable, but The Sun said Pope Francis is still worried about his recovery.
In spite of his concerns, the Vatican indicated early Wednesday morning that he spent a peaceful night. “He had a restful night, woke up and had breakfast,” the statement affirmatively confirmed.
In addition to pneumonia, the Pope is also fighting asthmatic bronchitis, which is being treated with cortisone and antibiotics. Physicians have reported that his respiratory infection is a combination of viruses, bacteria, and possibly other pathogens, making it even more difficult for him to recover. Bronchitis, which can lead to pneumonia, irritates the air sacs of the lungs, making breathing more difficult. When both lungs are involved, the illness is worse because less healthy tissue is left to facilitate normal lung function.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis, who had a portion of his right lung removed as a young man, has been subjected to comprehensive medical examinations, including chest X-rays and laboratory tests.His hospitalization followed a week of combat as he battled bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia, and required him to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Originally indicated to be in “fair” condition, further medical scans revealed the development of bilateral pneumonia, which required more intensive treatment.
