What Is the Polymicrobial Respiratory Tract Infection, Pope Francis Is Being Treated For?

Authorities at the Vatican have said that Pope Francis has a complex infection in his respiratory system and will require more targeted drug treatment, along with a possible surgery. According to officials, the 88-year-old pope is suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection—a mix of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites growing in someone’s lungs.

However, no other details on the severity of his illness have so far been given.

The Pope was hospitalized last week after being diagnosed with a bout of bronchitis and underwent diagnostic tests, confirming the latest condition. The pontiff’s health has in the past also forced him to cancel his programmes, as he repeatedly has issues with breathing.

According to experts, polymicrobial respiratory tract infection means that most pathogens—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—are growing in someone’s lungs, causing deadly infections.

Doctors say it is mostly common among those who have bronchitis or an airway infection that cascades into multiple problems, including infections in the lungs. Mostly, older people with weak immune systems are prone to polymicrobial respiratory tract infections.

According to experts, the pope's condition does seem serious, considering his age and a history of lung-related illnesses. Doctors say in polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, bacteria colonize the airways leading to infection popping in many places across the lungs, which makes it difficult to treat. In people with lungs that have been previously compromised, they might need help breathing, including oxygen support or chest physiotherapy to help them clear fluid building up.

Doctors say Pope Francis is being given a heavy dosage of antibiotic treatments, which typically take from a few days up to about two weeks to have an effect. Medication for polymicrobial respiratory tract infection also includes drugs that are prescribed for asthma or conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in addition to getting physiotherapy to help keep the chest as clear as possible.

Francis had a part of one lung removed as a young man and since then battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter. He uses a wheelchair, walker, or cane when moving around his apartment and recently fell twice, hurting his arm and chin.

Francis is being treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was last admitted in June 2023 to have surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall. A few months before that, he spent three days in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics for a respiratory infection.

He later revealed that he had been hospitalized that day after spiking a high fever and was diagnosed with what he said was “an acute and strong pneumonia, in the lower part of the lungs.”

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