Pope Francis remains stable, Vatican says
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Crispian Balmer

Reuters

VATICAN CITY –  remains stable, has not had new breathing crisis, Vatican says

The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways on Friday, akin to an asthma attack, renewing concerns over his well-being.

However, in a more upbeat readout on Saturday, the Vatican said the Pope did not have a fever and did not show signs of an increased white blood cell count, adding that his blood flow and circulation remained stable.



The 88-year-old Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with severe respiratory problems that swiftly degenerated into double pneumonia - a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.

He last suffered what the Vatican described as a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" on February 22, but there had not been any repeat crises until Friday.

Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

The Pope has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.

As expected, the Vatican said that for a second week running, the Pope would not lead his usual Sunday prayers with pilgrims and that once again the text of the Angelus prayer would be published rather than read out.

_(This story has been updated to reflect the most current information.)_

_(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Valentina Za, Barbara Lewis and Marguerita Choy)_

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_The behavioral and social effects of being in the hospital can be striking, but there's no medical evidence that they're permanent, according to the Vatican._
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