Pope Francis, who is hospitalized with double pneumonia, is not in danger of dying, but his condition could change, one of his doctors, Sergio Alfieri, said.
“Is he out of danger? He is not. But if the question is whether he is in danger of death, of a fatal outcome, then the answer is no,” Alfieri said.
Given that the pope is 88 years old, Alfieri said that with all his previous health problems, he is clearly a sensitive patient.
He added that the pope did not have sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the body responds to an infection by damaging its own tissues and organs.
“However, there is always a risk that the infection could spread in his body,” he said.
The pope has been receiving treatment at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14, where he was admitted for breathing problems.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can severely damage the lungs and make it difficult to breathe.
His medical team said the Pope was able to get out of bed and sit in a chair to do some work, but they predict he will remain in the hospital for at least another week.
