Pope funeral ‘is being rehearsed’: Swiss Guard ‘prepare for pontiff’s death after the 88-year-old warned ‘I may not survive’ pneumonia

The Pope’s funeral is allegedly being rehearsed after the 88-year-old warned he may not survive pneumonia. 

The Swiss Guard protecting the Pope, 88, is rehearsing his funeral, with members under a curfew as they are ‘preparing for the pontiff’s death’, Swiss newspaper Blick claims. 

The Pope previously revealed he had ‘already prepared’ his tomb, but the location of his grave and the coffin itself would break with tradition. 

This comes after Pope Francis was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday with significant chest pain, having resisted calls to leave the Vatican for days. 

Doctors diagnosed him with a ‘complex’ respiratory infection and barred him from taking part in several engagements, with the Vatican cancelling or rescheduling his papal audiences this week. 

The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the pneumonia and said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. 

‘Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,’ the Vatican said. The infection is of particular concern because the Pope had part of his lung removed many years ago.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, 81, told broadcaster Rai about the Pope’s condition: ‘Francis is very calm. His helm is in the hands of the Lord.’ 

Now, two people close to the pontiff have claimed Francis told them that he ‘might not make it this time’, according to a report by Politico. 

Perhaps cognizant of his limited time, the Pope has in recent weeks moved to ‘tie up loose ends’ and ensure the continuation of his legacy at a politically sensitive time for the Catholic Church.  

People have now reportedly travelled to the Gemelli Hospital in western Rome where Pope Francis is being treated to pray for him. 

On Monday, medical personnel determined that he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning a mix of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms had colonised in his respiratory tract and led to double pneumonia. 

Treatment varies by severity but can include providing oxygen through a nasal tube or mask, intravenous fluids – and treatment of the underlying cause of the infection. 

To date Francis is not known to be using supplemental oxygen, and he has eaten breakfast every day, read the newspapers and done some work from his hospital room.

The Vatican hasn’t provided any information about how Francis is responding to any of the drugs he has been given other than to say he isn’t running a fever.

Dr. Carmelo D’Asero, an infectious disease and geriatric disease expert in Rome, said Francis’ lack of a fever was not necessarily a positive thing, given the seriousness of his infection.

‘A high fever is a sign of an immune response to a pathogen,’ he said.

‘Having a low fever and having a serious bronchial infection .. is a sign of a decreased immune response and that makes us worry a little bit more, let’s say. 

‘Maybe if he had a fever, it would have been better.’

The Vatican has given no indication of how long the pope might remain hospitalized, only saying that the treatment of such a ‘complex clinical picture,’ which has already required several changes in his drug regimen, would require an ‘adequate’ stay.