Pope Francis's health worsens after inhaling vomit, rosary prayer to be held in Detroit
In a statement posted to the Vatican News on Friday, the Vatican said the pope, who is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy, experienced "an isolated episode of bronchospasm. This caused an episode of vomiting, which led to him inhaling some and a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition."
The 88-year-old underwent bronchial aspiration to clear his airways and was placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which improved his oxygen levels, according to the Vatican.
The pope's bronchitis was publicly announced on Feb. 6. He was hospitalized at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14.
More: Pope Francis in critical condition after a 'respiratory crisis,' Vatican says
"He has remained alert and aware at all times, cooperating with therapeutic treatments," according to the latest statement. "The prognosis, therefore, remains guarded. In the morning, he received the Eucharist."
Meanwhile, the Capuchin Franciscan friars will hold a rosary prayer for Pope Francis at St. Bonaventure Chapel inside the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit at noon on Saturday, March 1.
Fr. Casey, who was born in 1870, is the co-founder of the Detroit Capuchin Soup Kitchen. He was beatified in the Roman Catholic Church in 2017, putting him one step closer to canonization.
The center is located at 1740 Mt. Elliott St. More details about the rosary prayer will be posted at solanuscasey.org.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pope Francis's health worsens after inhaling vomit, Vatican reports
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