Loredana Sarmati warned that pneumonia is a "major serious illness...even in young people". She added that "It is unlikely that this situation will be resolved within days for the pope, I think it will take weeks.
Officials said Pope Francis is in critical condition as he battles pneumonia and early kidney failure. He was awake and eating normally during his treatments. Crowds have been gathering at Vatican City to pray for his recovery. Doctors reported Sunday that blood tests showed his early kidney failure was under control.
The pope spent another 'quiet night' in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he has been recovering from a bout with bronchitis since Feb. 14, the Vatican said Wednesday.