Pope Francis Faces Sepsis Threat Amid Pneumonia Battle; Vatican Holy Year Celebrations Continue

The Vatican continues its Holy Year celebrations without Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized with pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection. The 88-year-old pontiff's condition is precarious, with doctors warning that the main threat is the onset of sepsis, a severe blood infection that can arise as a complication of pneumonia.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors diagnosed a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, followed by pneumonia in both lungs. Despite his illness, Francis has been responding to the various drugs he is taking, and there is no evidence of sepsis as of Friday.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli hospital, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that sepsis could lead to organ failure and death. "Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of," Alfieri said.

Meanwhile, the Vatican's Holy Year celebrations, a once-every-quarter-century event, continue without the pope. This weekend, deacons gathered for their special Jubilee weekend, and the Holy Year organizer will celebrate Sunday's Mass in place of Pope Francis.

Despite his absence, the pope's presence is felt by the faithful. "Look, even though he's not (physically) here, we know he's here," said Luis Arnaldo Lopez Quirindongo, a deacon from Puerto Rico attending the Jubilee celebration.

Pope Francis's recovery will take time, and he will continue to live with his chronic respiratory problems. The Vatican remains hopeful for his swift recovery as the Holy Year celebrations march on.