PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pope Francis is in critical condition, with blood tests showing signs of early kidney failure that appears to be under control. The Vatican says he is in high spirits and attended Sunday Mass, but KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough says it looks like the pope is facing quite the uphill battle.
The 88-year-old pope is battling pneumonia and a complex lung infection, and the Vatican says he went through a respiratory crisis as recently as Saturday night.
“The fact that he’s hospitalized when he has a medical treatment facility tells us initially that it’s very serious,” said KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough.
McDonough says The Vatican is not divulging everything, and it’s important not to speculate on Francis’ health status, but putting together all the information paints a grim picture.
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“The respiratory issue, the breathing problems, combined with the need for the supplemental oxygen–as well as the drop in platelets and a probable infection. All of those things suggest that this is his lungs and other parts of the body that are fighting a very very serious illness.”
The pontiff’s platelet count is low but stable, says The Vatican. Platelets are cell-like fragments that circulate in the blood and help form clots to stop bleeding or allow for wounds to heal.
He’s also suffering from anemia, but officials say he responded well to treatments.
Pope Francis also has a low, but stable, platelet count, and Dr. Brian says that fact makes his infection more worrying.
“The concern about platelets dropping suggests other parts of his body are battling this as well. Combine this with the fact that he’s an 88-year-old man—that’s a lot to fight through,” McDonough said.
“He clearly is getting the best treatment, but he’s also 88 years old and it’s a battle for his life.”