Pope Francis health latest: Live updates as Pontiff’s condition worsens amid ‘two respiratory failures’

A doctor who specialises in life-threatening lung conditions has warned the Pope appears to be taking ‘steps back’ in his recovery from pneumonia.

Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said the episodes were more concerning than the last one on Friday, in which Francis had a coughing fit, inhaled some vomit that needed to be extracted and then was put on the noninvasive mechanical ventilation for a day and then didn’t need it anymore.

The use of bronchoscopies reflects a worrying level of mucus and phlegm in the lungs, Dr Coleman, who is not involved in Francis’ care, said.

The fact that they had to go in there and remove it manually is concerning, because it means that he is not clearing the secretions on his own. He’s taking little steps forward and then steps back.

Francis, who is not physically active, uses a wheelchair and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his lung function.

But the accumulation of the secretions in his lungs was a sign that he doesn’t have the muscle tone to cough vigorously enough to expel the fluid.

The Pope has been receving treatment on the 10th floor at Gemelli Hospital

A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the pope’s health, said on Monday evening that the pontiff’s blood tests that day had remained stable.

The pope’s doctors believe the respiratory episode was part of his body’s normal response in fighting infection, the official added.

Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.

Nuns pray for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square last night

Francis has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013.

His doctors have not said how long his treatment might last after it emerged he suffered two bouts of respiratory failure

Acute respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening, occurs when the lungs cannot pass enough oxygen into the blood, or when carbon dioxide builds up in the body.

The pope’s setback came following several days of relatively upbeat statements about his condition.

The Vatican said the two respiratory episodes on Monday were caused by ‘a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus’.

The pope, it said, had suffered a bronchospasm, akin to an asthma attack, and had required two bronchoscopies, or procedures to inspect his air passages.

His prognosis remains ‘guarded’, Monday’s statement said, which means Francis is not out of danger.

Pope Francis, hospitalised with penuemonia in both lungs, slept ‘all night long and continues to rest’ after suffering two bouts of acute respiratory failure, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Two bulletins, released in the morning and evening, have been issued to provide updates on Francis’s condition throughout his admission at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

It comes after a worrying development on Monday as it emerged the 88-year-old ‘experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm.’

Here is how we reported last night’s development of the Pope’s health on the MailOnline website

Pope Francis has today been put back on ventilation after suffering two new episodes of respiratory crises, the Vatican said.

Following a weekend where the Pontiff, 88, ‘rested well’ after suffering a coughing fit on Friday evening, the Vatican have announced that the Pope’s health worsened today.

Francis reportedly suffered two episodes of respiratory crisis caused by a ‘significant’ amount of mucus accumulation in his lungs and bronchial spasms.

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as Pope Francis remains in hospital where he suffered two bouts of respiratory failure.

The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking alarm across the globe.

The Vatican said Francis’ health had shown slight improvement but fears were raised last night after it emerged he experienced ‘two episodes of acute respiratory failure’ caused by a build up of mucus.

Acute respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening, occurs when the lungs cannot pass enough oxygen into the blood, or when carbon dioxide builds up in the body.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates on the Pope’s health throughout the day.