Pope Francis health latest: Live updates as Vatican confirm pontiff is in critical condition
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Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, remains in a critical condition with kidney failure, the Vatican has announced.
The 88-year-old pontiff has received treatment for pneumonia and a complex lung infection for 11 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital earlier this month and warned close confidantes he may not survive.
Appointed pope in 2013, Francis has led a relatively progressive but controversial papacy that has seen women accede to key roles, the recognition of LGBT + rights and the Vatican begin to address Catholic Church child abuse scandals.
Live updates below
Pope marks his 11th day in hospital
The Vatican’s one-line update from this morning, saying that the Pope was resting after a good night’s sleep, did not mention if Francis had woken up.
Late last night, doctors reported that blood tests showed early kidney failure – but it was under control.
He remains in critical condition but has not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday when he had a prolonged asthmatic attack.
He was receiving high amounts of oxygen and yesterday, he was alert, responsive and attended Mass.
Doctors have said the pontiff’s condition is touch and go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing chronic lung disease.
They have warned that the main threat he faces is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can happen as a complication of pneumonia.
But the Vatican itself has not yet mentioned sepsis in its regular updates on his condition.
Francis spent ten days at the Gemelli hospital in 2021 after he had part of his colon removed.
Gemelli Hospital in Rome surrounded by gifts from well wishers
Pontiff resting after sleeping well last night
Francis had a good night last night, according to an update from the Vatican this morning, and is resting after he was ‘well oriented’ on Sunday and attended Mass.
‘The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting’, the statement said.
Our reporter has more in our latest coverage of the Pope’s ongoing health crisis
Pope Francis in critical condition and suffering early kidney failure
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as Pope Francis remains in critical condition and is suffering early kidney failure in hospital, according to the Vatican’s latest announcement.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been receiving treatment for pneumonia and a complex lung infection for 11 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since being admitted with breathing difficulties on February 14.
It makes this the longest hospitalisation of his papacy, since he became leader of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013.
Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates from this breaking news story.
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