Pope Francis Experiencing Mild Kidney Failure, Says Vatican
Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, is currently in critical condition with blood tests showing mild signs of kidney failure, the Vatican confirmed on Sunday.
Though the pontiff is still battling pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican stated that the situation is “currently under control.” Pope Francis, who was hospitalized more than a week ago, has not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday evening. Some of his blood tests indicated “an initial, mild, renal failure, which is currently under control,” according to the Vatican.
Despite these health challenges, the Pope remains “vigilant and well oriented,” the statement added.
Pope Francis, who hails from Argentina, has had a history of respiratory issues. As a young man, he suffered from a severe case of pneumonia that led to the removal of part of his lung. In 2021, part of his colon was surgically removed due to diverticulitis, which causes inflammation and infection in the colon. Additionally, he was hospitalized for bronchitis in 2023, and in recent months, he has fallen twice, resulting in a bruised chin and a hurt arm, which required a sling.
This hospitalization marks the second-longest period Pope Francis has spent in the hospital since his election as Pope, with Monday expected to surpass the previous record. The Pope is still receiving oxygen and participated in Sunday’s Holy Mass from his hospital apartment on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.
The Vatican emphasized that the complexity of the Pope’s condition and the ongoing wait for medical treatments means that his prognosis remains uncertain. However, the Pope expressed gratitude for the dedication of his medical staff and thanked them for their care in a text for Sunday’s sermon, which was sent to the press in advance.
Earlier in the week, the Vatican had reported that the Pope was responding positively to treatment for pneumonia, and there had been some improvement in his condition.
