Pope Francis, 88, has been in the hospital for over two weeks battling double pneumonia, leading to concerns about his health among the faithful worldwide. The Vatican reported a peaceful night for the pontiff after a health setback the day before, when he experienced a breathing crisis. He required aspiration to clear his airways and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but was not intubated. His doctors are monitoring his condition closely to evaluate the impact of the episode. This recent health scare follows an earlier bout of respiratory problems that led to his hospitalization. Pope Francis has a history of lung issues, including pleurisy as a young adult and the removal of part of one lung. The pope has been out of the public eye since entering the hospital, marking his longest absence since becoming pope in 2013. There is no indication of how long his treatment may last. Faithful around the world continue to worry and pray for his recovery as the Vatican releases updates on his condition.
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