By Jordan Beaubois, News Editor
A woman caressing a Pope Francis candle – Photo By Georgorio Borgia
The current head of the Vatican City State and head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has been suffering respiratory failures for the past couple of weeks. The 88 year old pontiff has currently been in the hospital for just shy of three weeks, and has experienced through ups and downs since first being hospitalized.
The Bishop of Rome has been undergoing treatment for double pneumonia along with an infection of serious complexities. On Feb. 28 he suffered a bronchial spasm which induced the swallowing of his own vomit and bile during a violent coughing fit. This was set upon by the accumulation of mucus in his bronchial tubes as a result of his pneumonia.
The Vatican City released a statement reading, “The Holy Father has remained consistently alert, oriented, and cooperative.” Despite the statement, the Pope continues to remain a patient of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since his admittance on Valentine’s Day.
Remarkably, the Pope has persisted by doing some of his papal duties in the hospital, such as signing off on appointments of bishops, moving five people along the path from canonization to sainthood and publishing the daily bulletin on the Vatican website.
It comes as little surprise that Pope Francis’s hospitalization and condition has raised a slew of concerns for many and what may come next. The worries remain over whether or not Pope Francis will persist, resign from his position or if his condition will worsen or improve. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state for Vatican City has dismissed such talk as, “useless speculation.” The Pope’s absence has been deeply felt throughout the Catholic community, yet the thoughts and prayers are felt from all inhabited continents. A speedy recovery seems to be the wishes of all, including a swift return for the Holy See’s head of state.
Flowers, candles, and other gifts laid at the statue of John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital – Photo by Alberto Pizzoli
The Saint 