Pope Francis was so close to death that doctors considered ending treatment


Pope Francis gestures during his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day he is set to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital, in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis came so close to death at one point during his 38-day fight in hospital against pneumonia that his doctors considered ending treatment so he could die in peace, the head of the pope's medical team said.

After a breathing crisis on February 28 that involved Francis nearly choking on his vomit, "there was a real risk he might not make it," said Sergio Alfieri, a physician at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

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