The Pope’s funeral is reportedly being rehearsed after the Pontiff warns that he “may not make it this time”
88 year old Pope Francis is in hospital battling pneumonia. which has spread to both his lungs, and he has reportedly told his confidants that he may not survive.
The Swiss Guard protecting the Pope is rehearsing his funeral, with members under a curfew as they are ‘preparing for the pontiff’s death’, according to the Swiss newspaper Blick
The Mail Online reports: he Pope previously revealed he had ‘already prepared’ his tomb, but the location of his grave and the coffin itself would break with tradition.
This comes after Pope Francis was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday with significant chest pain, having resisted calls to leave the Vatican for days.
Doctors diagnosed him with a ‘complex’ respiratory infection and barred him from taking part in several engagements, with the Vatican cancelling or rescheduling his papal audiences this week.
The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the pneumonia and said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.
‘Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,’ the Vatican said. The infection is of particular concern because the Pope had part of his lung removed many years ago.
Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, 81, told broadcaster Rai about the Pope’s condition: ‘Francis is very calm. His helm is in the hands of the Lord.’
Now, two people close to the pontiff have claimed Francis told them that he ‘might not make it this time’, according to a report by Politico.
Perhaps cognizant of his limited time, the Pope has in recent weeks moved to ‘tie up loose ends’ and ensure the continuation of his legacy at a politically sensitive time for the Catholic Church.
People have now reportedly travelled to the Gemelli Hospital in western Rome where Pope Francis is being treated to pray for him.
On Monday, medical personnel determined that he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning a mix of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms had colonised in his respiratory tract and led to double pneumonia.