Pope Francis was hospitalised on February 14 for breathing difficulties but his condition soon deteriorated into double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man and has suffered increasing health problems in recent years. Despite his age and deteriorating health he has not stopped working from his hospital bed and has authorised the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate various decrees concerning those on the path to sainthood. The Pope recognised the “offering of life” of the Servants of God, Fr Emil Joseph Kapaun, who served as a United States Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War, and Italian layman Salvo D’Acquisto. He also made some appointments in the Vatican administration. He is under observation now for the next two days. The Vatican said in a statement that \”The Holy Father promptly underwent broncho-aspiration and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response on gas exchange\” and “Pope Francis remained alert and oriented at all times, cooperating with the therapeutic manoeuvres\”
