Camille Naredo

Pope Francis looks down as he leads holy mass at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 8, 2024.  Tiziana Fabi, AFP/File

Pope Francis looks down as he leads holy mass at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 8, 2024. - Pope Francis is leading holy mass at the Sir Guise Stadium during his four day visit to Papua New Guinea from September 6-9. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Article (news)

Pope Francis

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739976983921AFP__20240907__36FT6B8__v3__Preview__TopshotPngVaticanPopeReligion.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pope Francis looks down as he leads holy mass at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 8, 2024.  Tiziana Fabi, AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pope Francis looks down as he leads holy mass at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 8, 2024.  <em>Tiziana Fabi, AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>VATICAN CITY, Holy See -- Pope Francis&#x27;s bilateral pneumonia diagnosis has raised new questions over the overall health of the 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized since Friday.</p><p>AFP spoke with Andrea Ungar, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, to ask what it all means.</p><div><strong>- What exactly does bilateral pneumonia mean? -</strong></div><p>This means that the bacteria has spread from one lung to the other, naturally through the bronchial tubes, which is why it is now similar to unilateral pneumonia. The problem is that it is more extensive and can therefore lead to respiratory failure.</p><div><strong>- What is its impact on a patient with other pathologies? -</strong></div><p>It is certainly a challenging condition, but not having a fever and apparently not having such significant respiratory failure, it should definitely be treated with antibiotic therapy, probably for a longer period than initially thought.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/2/19/pope-suffering-from-pneumonia-had-peaceful-night-1754">READ: Pope, suffering from pneumonia, had &#x27;peaceful night&#x27;</a></div><div><strong>- Could this entail a long hospital stay? -</strong></div><p>We cannot predict anything for sure, but I believe it will be less than a week. Of course, today home hospitalization also exists, many things can be managed at home.</p><p>It depends on how much monitoring and support is required. However, since this is a logistically well-organized hospital situation, I think the stay will be less than a week.</p><div><strong>- What would you say to an active patient who doesn&#x27;t get adequate rest? -</strong></div><p>Staying in bed, for example, is only harmful for pneumonia. The problem can be cold drafts, wind... If a person is active and has the motivation to do things during their day, especially over 80 years old, they only get better, not worse: activity does no harm!</p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABUifKhbEmWvN65h&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script><div><strong>-  What other advice could you give to treat this pneumonia? -</strong></div><p>To continue eating, also taking probiotics and vitamin B to avoid the side effects of long-term antibiotic therapy.</p><p>Long-term antibiotic therapy can alter the intestinal flora and cause vitamin B deficiency, so vitamin B complexes and probiotics should always be added when antibiotics are prescribed for an extended period.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/2/19/cardinal-david-asks-for-prayers-for-ailing-pope-francis-1553">READ: Cardinal David asks for prayers for ailing Pope Francis</a></div>

Doctor explains pope's 'challenging' double pneumonia

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Doctor explains pope's 'challenging' double pneumonia

Agence France-Presse

Published February 20, 2025 12:42 AM PHT

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