The doctor spoke about a critical moment during the Pope's illness

Pope Francis was close to death on February 28. This was announced on March 25 by one of his attending physicians, Sergio Alfieri, in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

According to the doctor, two weeks after his admission to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital, the pontiff's condition suddenly deteriorated. He had a bronchial spasm with an attack of vomiting and inhalation, resulting in a weakened respiratory system.

"For the first time, I saw tears in the eyes of some of the people around him. People <...> they sincerely love him like a father. We all understood that the situation had worsened further, and there was a risk that we would not be able to cope," Alfieri recalled.

At that moment, the doctors faced a choice — to stop and "let go" of Dad or try other treatment options, risking damaging vital organs, he continued. With the consent of Francis' assistant Massimiliano Strappetti, it was decided to continue the treatment, Alfieri concluded.

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The Holy See's press service announced the pope's hospitalization on February 14. On February 18, he was diagnosed with the onset of bilateral pneumonia, and on February 22, the pope needed a blood transfusion. In early March, it was reported that Francis suffered two attacks of acute respiratory failure. On March 8, the Vatican announced that the pontiff's condition had begun to improve. After that, on March 19, it became known that Francis no longer needed ventilation at night.

Later, on March 23, the Pope addressed the faithful for the first time in five weeks.