\n<\/p>\n
Pope Francis, hospitalized for two weeks, suffered a potentially serious setback on Friday, the Vatican said \u2014 a bronchial spasm that resulted in him inhaling vomit. It added that he had responded well to treatment and remained conscious and alert at all times.<\/p>\n
Doctors said it would take 24 to 48 hours to determine whether the crisis has worsened the condition of the pope, who was being treated for pneumonia in both lungs and infections, the Vatican said. His doctors have always said that the pope is not out of danger, and that the overall the situation is complex.<\/p>\n
The bronchial crisis on Friday afternoon was an isolated incident, the Vatican said. It said that as a result, he required \u201cnoninvasive mechanical ventilation\u201d \u2014 meaning he was not intubated, which requires sedation.<\/p>\n
Francis is now using a mask covering his mouth and nose to help him breathe. The Vatican said Francis was cooperating \u201cwith therapeutic maneuvers,\u201d and was in \u201cgood spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital two weeks ago with bronchial problems that developed into pneumonia in both lungs, as well as other complications. He had a respiratory crisis last Saturday that he appeared to have overcome, and medical bulletins in recent days were cautiously upbeat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a setback,\u201d Austen Ivereigh, Pope Francis\u2019 biographer, wrote on X<\/a>. While he urged others to put the news \u201cin perspective\u201d and consider that the pope was alert and responsive, he admitted: \u201cI was getting too confident. Please keep up prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n Others shared his concern.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven his age, and given that he is in such a state, we must be worried,\u201d Father Felicien Abengalo, a priest in Rome, said on Friday. \u201cHis illness is not a minor illness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are worried,\u201d said Rosa Bus\u00e0, 66, who stopped by St Peter\u2019s square on Friday during a vacation. \u201cWe love Pope Francis very much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n