The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is fighting a complex respiratory infection and will stay in the hospital for as long as needed.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been sick for over a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday.
In a brief statement on Monday, a Vatican spokesperson said the pope’s treatment plan had been changed.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” the spokesperson said.
A polymicrobial infection is one caused by two or more micro-organisms, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
While a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot.
Viruses usually have to run their course, but the patient can be assisted with other medicines to bring down their fever or help their body fight the infection.
“All tests conducted up to today are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require an appropriate hospital stay,” the Vatican added.
Earlier, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Brunit said Pope Francis was in “good spirits”.
