Pope Francis
What concerns exist regarding Pope Francis's upcoming religious schedule due to his health condition?
Pope Francis's hospitalization with pneumonia in both lungs, alongside bronchitis and a polymicrobial infection, has raised concerns about his ability to fulfill his upcoming religious duties. His immediate schedule includes the Sunday Angelus prayer, which he has previously delivered from hospital when ill. More significantly, in two weeks the Catholic Church begins the important season of Lent with Ash Wednesday on March 5th, followed by six weeks of penance leading into Holy Week. Given the 88-year-old pontiff's health condition, questions remain about his capacity to preside over these major Catholic observances and the Jubilee celebrations.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
NBC News
02:22 - 02:46
What health issues is Pope Francis currently facing?
Pope Francis, at 88 years old, is currently suffering from double pneumonia, affecting both of his lungs. His condition is particularly concerning because he is already missing the upper lobe of his right lung from a previous chronic health issue. This combination of factors makes his current illness more complex and serious for someone of his advanced age. The Vatican has reported that despite these health challenges, the Pope remains in good spirits, though he will be missing several important events during this significant Jubilee year while he recovers.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)NBC News
01:26 - 01:36
What health challenges is Pope Francis facing during the Jubilee year?
Pope Francis, at 88 years old, is currently battling double pneumonia while facing a grueling schedule during this important Jubilee year. The Vatican has confirmed that the pontiff has pneumonia in both lungs, which developed after he was hospitalized with bronchitis last week, resulting in a complex medical condition with a poly microbial infection. Despite these serious health challenges, the Pope is reportedly in good spirits and continuing his religious duties through prayer and study. However, his condition will force him to miss significant Mass events during this demanding period, raising concerns as he heads into the Lent season, a particularly busy time in the Catholic calendar.
Watch clip answer (00:05m)NBC News
02:48 - 02:53
How has Pope Francis's health condition affected his scheduled events?
Pope Francis's pneumonia diagnosis has led to significant disruptions in his schedule. He was originally supposed to preside at a Mass for the ordination of deacons this weekend - men who are not priests but read the Gospel during Mass. However, due to his deteriorating health condition, this event will not take place as planned. The Vatican has taken precautionary measures by canceling all of the 88-year-old pontiff's public events for the remainder of the week. This comes during an important time for the Catholic Church during the Jubilee year, raising concerns about the Pope's ability to participate in upcoming major celebrations as he continues to deal with pneumonia affecting both lungs.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)
NBC News
02:03 - 02:22
What health issues is Pope Francis currently experiencing and how are they being treated?
Pope Francis is suffering from double pneumonia, which has developed from a combination of pre-existing chronic lung conditions, bronchitis, and a poly microbial infection (caused by a mixture of germs). This serious health situation led to his hospitalization on Friday. To treat these conditions, doctors have prescribed corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and antibiotics to combat the infection. However, according to Ann Thompson's report, these treatments haven't been as effective as the medical team had hoped, suggesting the 88-year-old pontiff's condition remains serious despite Vatican assurances about his spirits.
Watch clip answer (00:32m)NBC News
00:33 - 01:06
What upcoming religious events is Pope Francis facing while dealing with pneumonia?
Pope Francis is facing a demanding schedule starting with the season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5th. This period includes six weeks of penance followed by Holy Week celebrations. These significant Catholic observances come at a challenging time for the 88-year-old pontiff who is currently battling double pneumonia during a Jubilee year. The Pope's health condition is particularly concerning given the grueling schedule of religious events ahead, making his recovery a matter of significance for the Vatican and Catholic followers worldwide.
Watch clip answer (00:16m)NBC News
02:37 - 02:53