Pope in good spirits despite double pneumonia diagnosis

International

THE Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

The laboratory examinations, x-rays, and clinical conditions of the Pope still present a “complex picture” which extends his treatment and hospitalization.

“The control chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon…showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further drug therapy,” the Vatican said per a CNN report.

The tests were administered by the Vatican health team and the medical team of the “A.Gemelli” Hospital Foundation.

Despite his pressing medical struggles lately, the Pope “is in good spirits,” the Vatican added.

The Holy Father is still undergoing the cortisone antibiotic therapy which is required to treat the polymicrobial infection which stemmed from lung conditions such as bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis.

On Monday, February 17, a medical check-up showed a

“Polymicrobial infection” in the Pope’s respiratory tract.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines Polymicrobial diseases as acute and chronic diseases caused by various combinations of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Since the hospitalization of the Pope, there have been cancellations of Jubilee and General audiences and the Pope’s participation in leading the Angelus prayers.(Johanna Sumalinog, USJ-R Intern)