Papa’s Condition Serious: Closed-door Meetings Begin
The health condition of the Catholic spiritual leader, Pope Francis, remains critical. According to a statement released by the Vatican, the 88-year-old Pope Francis suffered an asthma crisis and subsequently underwent a blood transfusion. The Vatican’s announcement revealed that “Pope Francis experienced a prolonged asthma crisis and required oxygen therapy. Blood tests today revealed anemia along with a low platelet count, necessitating a blood transfusion. The Pope remains conscious and spent the day in his armchair, but his condition is reported to be more critical than yesterday.” It had been reported previously that Pope Francis had expressed uncertainty about surviving this episode.
Pope Francis, while continuing his treatment, asked Catholics to pray for him. He stated that he was “safely continuing” his stay at Gemelli Hospital in Rome and “receiving the necessary treatment.” In a message released today, he thanked the hospital doctors, healthcare workers, and those sending prayers, saying, “In recent days, I have received many messages filled with love. Particularly, the letters and drawings from children have deeply touched me.”
SECRET MEETINGS INITIATED
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke to the Italian press. Regarding the recent discussions about Pope Francis potentially resigning in case he becomes incapable of fulfilling his duties, he said, “All of these are unnecessary speculations. At the moment, we are focused on the Pope’s health and his return to the Vatican. That is what matters.” Following Parolin’s statement, it was reported that the cardinals in Vatican had started secret discussions to identify the name that would succeed Pope Francis.
“POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS NOT JUST BEGINNING”
Papal process expert John Allen claimed that cardinals had been secretly holding meetings to determine the successor long before the Pope fell ill. Speaking to The Times, Allen said, “I don’t believe political discussions have just begun; I think they have been ongoing for quite some time,” and noted that similar meetings took place in the mid-1990s when Pope John Paul II’s successor was being decided.
