LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A visit to the hospital for bronchitis treatment has now turned into an ongoing health crisis for head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
A message from the Vatican on Saturday confirmed the Pope is in critical condition. The 88-year-old Pope is said to have suffered an “asthma-like respiratory crisis,” according to the Vatican.
He was put on oxygen and later received a blood transfusion after tests revealed a condition related to anemia.
“Of course, he has in critical condition that means that one patient of 88 years old with chronic lung disease and you have some infection, virus, myositis and uh bacteria,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a physician at Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the Pope is being treated. “It’s a critical condition but he’s fine now. He’s fine.”
The Pope’s doctors are assuring the public that he is in good spirits, but there are continued prayers for his recovery by members of the Catholic faith in Mid-Michigan.
“Well, it was always concerning, because he’s the leader of the church,” said Lansing Catholic Mike C. “He’s out there doing the best job he can do. It’s concerning because he’s older too.”
As Fr. Jim Rolph prepares for Saturday evening mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lansing, just hours after news of the Pope’s condition was announced, he said parishioners are offering their prayer for who they know as the Holy Father.
“Pope Francis is a Pope of mercy, is where I’ve really seen his pontificate lead us,” he said.
Rolph said that whatever comes next, he believes is God’s will, and that Catholics in Lansing will be leaning on their faith through this uncertain time.
“And we’re never ready to let someone go, but at the same time, we want to pray God’s will be done,” he said. “He’s raising up men and women to take the baton and move the church forward in this day and age, and so we just want to pray that God’s will be done throughout all of this.”
Vatican officials also said the Pope has remained alert through his health struggles and spent Saturday in an armchair. However, they said he is more uncomfortable than he was on Friday
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