Doctors treating Pope Francis during his recent 38-day hospital stay nearly ended treatment after a serious respiratory crisis, according to his lead doctor.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, and reported by CNN, Professor Sergio Alfieri said the turning point came on 28th February, when the Pope inhaled his own vomit, causing a severe breathing episode.

At that point, the medical team considered letting him go, but chose to fight on.

“We had to decide whether to stop or try everything, even with the risk of damaging other organs,” Alfieri said. The decision to continue was pushed by Francis’ nurse, who told the team: “Try everything, we won’t give up.”

Francis was discharged on 23rd March, after the longest hospital stay of his papacy. The Vatican shared regular, detailed updates throughout — something Alfieri said was the Pope’s own request to keep the public fully informed.

Now back at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope is receiving 24/7 medical care, including oxygen therapy and physiotherapy. He’s slowly easing back into work and recently called again for peace in war-torn regions, thanking the public for their prayers.

Featured image credit: AFP via Getty Images

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