Pope Francis ‘not out of danger’ but condition not life-threatening, doctor says

Pope Francis is “not out of danger” but his condition is not life-threatening, a doctor treating him has said.

Sergio Alfieri, the chief of the pontiff’s medical team, said the 88-year-old, who is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, was affected by a seasonal flu before being taken to hospital.

He said “due to his challenging duties” he had suffered fatigue.

Mr Alfieri said Pope Francis was a “fragile patient” but was in “good spirits” and joking with medical staff.

During a news conference, he added: “Is he out of danger? No. But if the question is ‘is he in danger of death’, the answer is ‘no’.”

It was his doctors first in-person update on the Pope’s condition. They said he would remain in hospital for at least all of next week.

The Pope was taken to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 14 February.

He is receiving occasional supplements of oxygen and is responding to strengthened drug therapy for pneumonia.

The doctors warned that while the Pope did not have sepsis, there was always a risk the infection could spread in his body.

In a brief update on his health earlier on Friday, the Vatican said Francis had had a good night, had got up and eaten breakfast.

On Thursday, the Vatican said the Pope’s overall condition was “improving slightly” and his heart is working well.

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