Pope Francis' Sixth Day Treated In Hospital For Pneumonia Doubles

Pope Francis/DOK via Instagram @franciscus

JAKARTA - Pope Francis, who spent his sixth day in hospital for respiratory tract infection treatment, remains vigilant and has breakfast.

The Vatican said Pope Francis had double pneumonia, making it difficult for the 88-year-old whale to be treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and injure both lungs and make breathing more difficult.

The Vatican said the Pope had previously suffered a polymicrobial infection, which occurred when two or more microorganisms were involved.

The Pope will undergo hospital treatment as long as necessary to address a complex clinical situation.

A Vatican official said Pope Francis did not use a ventilator.

The official said the Pope was able to get out of bed and sit in a armchair in his hospital room, and continue to do some work.

The Vatican is expected to provide more information on the Pope's condition on Wednesday, February 20 evening.

The Pope has been plagued by poor health in recent years, including regular flu attacks, pelvic linu nerve pain, and a stomach hernia that requires surgery in 2023.

When he was young, he had inflammation of his chest membrane and one of his lungs was removed.

All of the Pope's public gatherings have been canceled until Sunday and he has no further official events in the Vatican calendar published.

Pastor Dr. Andrea Vicini, a Jesuit priest, and a medical doctor, said a Vatican statement said the Pope had pneumonia and was not bronopneumonia. The latter will indicate a wider infection.

"(It sounds) this case is more localized and has not spread yet," said Vicini, a professor at Boston College, who said she had no details of the Pope's case outside of a Vatican public statement.

"If they identify the pathogen, as I expected, they will get very targeted therapy," he said. I am optimistic. It seems they are controlling what is happening," he added.