Medical team caring for Pope Francis considered ending his treatment

After 38 days in the hospital, Pope Francis finally left on March 23, marking the longest hospitalization in the pope’s 12-year papacy. The medical staff overseeing his care during the hospitalization for double pneumonia considered ending his treatment so the 88-year-old pontiff could die peacefully, according to CNN. Marco Ravagli/AP

The medical staff overseeing the care of Pope Francis during his hospitalization for double pneumonia considered ending his treatment so the 88-year-old pontiff could die peacefully, CNN reports.

Professor Sergio Alfieri, lead doctor on Francis’ case told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera the most critical moment came on Feb. 28, when the pope had a breathing crisis resulting in him inhaling his own vomit.

“We had to choose whether to stop and let him go or force it and try with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end, we took this path,” Alfieri said.

The decision to continue Francis’ treatment was made by Massimiliana Strappetti, Francis’ nurse, Alfieri said.

“Try everything, we won’t give up. That’s what we all thought too. And no one gave up,” Strappetti reportedly told Alfieri.

After 38 days in the hospital, Francis finally left on March 23, marking the longest hospitalization in the pope’s 12-year papacy.

Francis had several breathing crises during his time in the hospital, with two of them putting the pope’s life in danger, Alfieri has previously said.

During his stay, Francis made the decision to let the Vatican provide the public with in-depth details on his condition.

“From the first day he asked us to tell him the truth and he wanted us to tell the truth about his condition nothing was ever changed or omitted,” Alfieri said.

The pope has returned to his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he will continue to receive treatment.

The road to recovery includes mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, 24-hour medical assistance in case of an emergency, oxygen therapy and two months of rest.

Francis will return to work gradually and has already shown a determination to recover and resume duties. While he has not led the Angelus prayer for the past seven Sundays, he has offered weekly reflections, most calling for “peace” in war-torn regions.

“You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance. Thank you so much. I also pray for you,” he said in a post on X on Sunday. “Let us pray together for peace, especially in martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

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