Concern for Pope Francis: The pope had to be taken to a hospital on Wednesday after feeling unwell at a general audience. However, the 86-year-old had to be persuaded by his nurse. According to “Corriere della Sera”, the “pressure in the chest area” has now been determined to be pneumonia. Hundreds of journalists have gathered in front of Gemelli Hospital.
It was his private nurse Massimiliano Strappetti (54) who persuaded Francis to admit him to hospital on Wednesday. The pope spent a quiet night in the clinic. Further examinations will follow on Thursday, all appointments for Friday have been canceled and the hospital stay will probably last a few more days.
Pope: “He saved my life”
Strappetti, coordinator of nurses in the Vatican’s medical service, was appointed Francis’ personal health assistant in 2022. As early as 2021, the Roman had convinced the pope to undergo intestinal surgery. At that point, Francis had declared that he owed his life to Strappetti. The “experienced man” urgently advised him to undergo the procedure. “He saved my life,” Francis said in a post-surgery interview.
No knee surgery for fear of anesthesia
The pope has been plagued with a knee problem for some time. For the past few weeks, he has been confined to a wheelchair for most of the audience. His knee problem could be solved with surgery, but Francis does not want to go under the knife again after the last operation on his colon. The problem is the anesthesia, which left its mark last time.
Clinic besieged by hundreds of journalists
The Gemelli clinic, where the pope now resides, is besieged by journalists and cameramen. Hundreds of media representatives spent the night in front of the entrance to the Roman polyclinic where the Holy Father was being examined. The hospital in the northern part of Rome was in the spotlight of TV cameras all night long.
Journalists from the most influential TV channels in the world reported until the early morning against the backdrop of the huge hospital. To cope with the storm surge of media, a larger press room was hastily set up in the hospital. Media representatives eagerly await the medical bulletin announced for Thursday.
Health concerns cast a shadow over Easter celebrations
The pope’s health concerns cast a shadow over the upcoming Easter celebrations that preoccupy the head of the Catholic Church. On Sunday morning, Francis would celebrate the liturgical celebration of Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square as the start of Holy Week. This is a large service for tens of thousands of worshipers in St. Peter’s Square.
Source: Krone
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