Doctors recall Pope Francis’ biggest health challenge yet

By Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui

Now that Pope Francis has gradually returned to the public eye, the medical team and close peers who accompanied him have recounted the days when their faith was tested by Francis’ biggest health challenge yet.

The first uphill battle

Pope Francis was under the constant watch of a medical team at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital led by Dr. Sergio Alfini, director of medical surgery.

Alfini discussed the medical case of the recovering pope in an interview, a first and rare instance from the Holy See.

He said that Francis had initially suffered an isolated attack of bronchospasm and had worsened for weeks after he was admitted on February 14, according to II Corriere dela Serra.

Medical drugs and therapies were applied to the Holy Father to immediately attend to his respiratory ailment.

He was then put on a non-invasive mechanical ventilation mask for days to keep his breathing regulated and to avoid further complications.

Alfini explained that while the pope remained conscious during the whole process, everyone needed to stay on their guard as further treatments could backfire on the condition of Francis, leading to fatal damage to his kidneys and bone marrow.

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Francis’ health taking a critical turn

As the 88-year-old pope indicated a positive response to his initial treatment, and with everyone’s hope for his full recovery at its peak, Francis’ situation deteriorated after inhaling gastric juices from his vomit while taking his lunch.

Alfini said that such an incident could further damage his weary lungs, which had already been damaged in his younger years.

He called the situation the “second truly critical moment” since Francis was at risk of “sudden death” if treatment were not as swift as possible.

Despite providing utmost care and treatment, Alfini and his team admitted that they considered letting the pope “die in peace” since it would be equally dangerous for the pope to endure prolonged medical drugs.

Alfini acknowledged the encouragement of the pope’s personal nurse, Massimiliano Strapetti, to “try everything, let’s not give up”.

A bid for transparency on Francis’ health

Alfini said that the hospital had urged the Vatican to let the public know the condition of Pope Francis after his most challenging hospitalization yet in his over a decade of papacy.

He said that the Holy See gave a go-signal and assured that the updates regarding Francis’ treatment were never “modified or omitted”.

In the end, Pope Francis’ stay at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital spanned 38 days, the longest since he assumed leadership in 2013.

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