Growing concern

Vatican: Pope spends another “quiet night”

Believers around the world are praying for their leader - while Francis' health continues to deteriorate.(Bild: AP)

Following the diagnosis of incipient kidney failure, Pope Francis is continuing his treatment in Rome's Gemelli Hospital. Although those close to Francis have said that he is in "good spirits", doctors have spoken of a "highly critical situation". The Vatican invited the faithful to pray in St. Peter's Square.

From Monday, prayers will be said every evening "as an expression of the Church's solidarity with the Pope and all the sick" for the health of the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church, as the Holy See announced according to dpa. On Monday evening at 9 p.m., Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin will lead the first rosary prayer in the square.

Complicated infection, incipient kidney failure
On Sunday evening, the Vatican announced that in addition to his bilateral pneumonia and a complicated infection with various pathogens, the Pope had now developed "mild, incipient kidney failure". However, this is currently under control. As a result, the fears for the seriously ill Francis became even greater.

The Gemelli Clinic in Rome(Bild: APA/Associated Press)

Doctor: "Then he might have a chance"
In an interview with dpa, intensive care physician Uwe Janssens described the Pope's condition as a "highly critical situation". "For an old, frail patient, such illnesses carry a high risk," said Janssens. The factors that have now been added are "prognostically unfavorable", said Janssens.

"If it is possible to give him suitable antibiotics (drug treatment with antibiotics), if it is possible to mobilize him, if it is possible to provide sufficient respiratory support, if it is possible to give him sufficient fluid intake, then he may have a chance," he said.

Concern about possible severe sepsis
Francis' attending physicians, Sergio Alfieri and Luigi Carbone, did not rule out further complications on Friday. From their point of view, the development of sepsis, i.e. severe blood poisoning, would be the greatest danger. This means that pathogens enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs. However, such a development had not yet occurred.

People have placed candles, flowers and pictures in front of the hospital where the Pope is being treated.(Bild: APA/AFP)

Fewer positive signals
At the weekend, Francis' state of health deteriorated after initial positive signals. According to the Vatican, he had to be supplied with oxygen and blood. He had a "persistent asthmatic respiratory crisis" on Saturday. For the first time, there was talk of a "critical condition" in connection with his situation.

According to the Vatican, no further "respiratory crises" were recorded on Sunday. Some blood values have also stabilized somewhat in the meantime. The level of red blood cells, the red blood pigment, has increased again.

Great sympathy worldwide
In the meantime, however, most observers are assuming that the hospital stay will drag on. The public has not seen the Pope since he was admitted. All his appointments have been canceled.

There is great sympathy among the approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. People in many places are praying for Francis and his recovery. On Monday evening, the Vatican's number two, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, will lead a rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square. "As an expression of the Church's solidarity with the Pope and all the sick", according to the Vatican.