The spiritual leader of Catholics, 88-year-old Pope Francis, has been receiving treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the capital of Italy, since February 14. In a statement made by the Vatican, it was announced that Pope Francis has been restarted on "non-invasive mechanical ventilation" (respiratory support) to help him breathe after suffering "acute respiratory failure" twice today. The statement reads, "Today, the Pope suffered two attacks of acute respiratory failure due to endobronchial mucus accumulation," and that the Pope developed a bronchospasm (constriction of the airways) similar to an asthma attack, and that doctors performed two bronchoscopy procedures to examine his airways. It was stated that the Pope's health condition is "fragile."
Pope Francis was taken to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after having difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
