The Vatican announced on Tuesday, February 18 that Pope Francis has developed double pneumonia.
Double pneumonia, also known as bilateral pneumonia, refers to a type of pneumonia that affects both lungs simultaneously.
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe. When the infection affects both lungs, it’s called “double pneumonia.”
According to the Vatican’s statement, a chest CT scan conducted on Tuesday afternoon showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional medication.
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy,” read the statement in part.
“Laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture.”
Pope Has Double Pneumonia
The statement further added that the Pope’s “polymicrobial infection, which has arisen in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, and has required the use of corticosteroid and antibiotics, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex.”
“Nevertheless,” the press release adds, “Pope Francis remains in good spirits, the Vatican added.
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling a respiratory infection for over a week and was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14.
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His condition was described as “fair” after a weeklong bout of bronchitis became more serious.
“This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests and to continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis,” read the statement.
Pope Francis Diagnosed with Double Pneumonia
The Holy Father had been suffering from bronchitis for several days, as he had noted during a couple of public audiences.
Already on February 6, the Holy See Press Office had released a statement noting that the Pope was suffering from bronchitis and would hold his audiences at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta.
Later on, Monday, February 17, those treating him concluded that he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection – a combination of viruses, bacteria and potentially other organisms had come together in his respiratory tract.
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The Holy Press service said that his complex clinical picture required adequate treatment time in the hospital.
“The results of the medical tests carried out over the past few days and today have shown a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further change in therapy,” the Vatican said in an earlier statement sent to the Press.
“All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalization.”
The pope is especially prone to lung infections because as a young adult, he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.
The Pope had been due to lead several events over the weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which runs through to next January.
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