88-year-old Pope Francis is currently being treated for a respiratory illness at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
He has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia (an infection in both lungs) and is receiving treatment with cortisone and antibiotics.
According to Vatican sources, Pope Francis told his close aides that he may not survive the disease. When his condition worsened, he was transferred to the hospital, where doctors warned him that his illness could prove fatal.
According to reports, Pope Francis has made some important decisions for his possible succession. Earlier this month, he extended the term of his close aide Cardinal Giovanni Battista Rei, which is considered a major decision in the Vatican.
The Vatican has denied media reports of Pope Francis’ death, but insiders have confirmed his poor health. Pope Francis has canceled his engagements, including the weekly Angelus prayer, which he rarely misses.
Pope Francis, who became head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, is praised for his progressive thinking and promotion of inclusivity in the church.
