Pope Francis Still at Risk Despite Hospital Update

Doctors for Pope Francis say he is responding well to treatment, but is not yet out of danger. The Vatican reports that the 88-year-old pope, who developed pneumonia in both lungs, is sitting up and doing work from the hospital.

Pope Francis is not “in danger of death,” but he’s also not fully “out of danger.”

Doctors at Rome's Gemelli Hospital expect Francis to remain in the hospital through all of next week. While they believe he will be able to leave the hospital at some point, they did not give an exact timetable.

One concern doctors have is that the pope is at risk of sepsis due to germs circulating through the hospital, said Dr. Sergio Alfieri. The pope has canceled all public appearances over the last week while undergoing treatment.

Doctors also cautioned that Francis will likely continue having chronic respiratory issues following his release from the hospital.