Pope Francis' Doctors Considered Letting Him Die Amid Health Crisis

Pope Francis made a miraculous recovery.

Following his 38-day stay in the hospital, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who looked after the pope, confessed that they had feared he might not make it through the night during a critical respiratory incident on February 28th.

In a conversation with Milan’s Corriere della Sera on March 25, as reported by the Associated Press, Alfierfi stated: “We had to decide between halting treatment and letting him go, or continuing and trying everything we could with medications and treatments, knowing the significant risk of causing harm to other organs. Ultimately, that’s the route we selected.

Despite the challenging nature of the treatment plan, which posed a risk to his kidneys and bone marrow at his advanced age, Massimilano Strappetti, Francis’ personal healthcare assistant, who was well-versed in understanding Francis’ wishes, advised them not to back down but to exhaust all available options instead.

Alfieri clarified that despite another respiratory crisis occurring three days later, “We persisted, and his body showed signs of responding to the treatments as his lung infection began to clear up.

The physician remarked that it seemed like global prayers and goodwill may have given the Pope strength to carry on, a notion he supported with references from scientific research.

He elaborated that at this point, everyone around the globe had been hoping fervently. To put it another way, things seemed hopeless twice over, but then, remarkably, something miraculous occurred.

Alfieri additionally praised Pope Francis’ demeanor throughout his extended hospitalization, noting, “Naturally, he proved to be an exceptionally compliant patient.

Pope Francis, who had been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital since February 14 due to a serious respiratory illness, was released from the hospital and went back to Vatican City on March 23. This marked the start of an additional two months of rest and recovery at home for him.

Although he hasn’t issued a public statement after moving back into the Apostolic Palace, the head of the Catholic Church has shown appreciation for global well wishes regarding his recent improvement in health, which was noted earlier this month.

In a heartfelt message I recently shared, I expressed my profound gratitude for your prayers for my wellbeing, sent from the Square. I’m right there with you in spirit. May God’s blessings be upon you, and may the Virgin Mary watch over you. Thank you from the depth of my being.

Keep reading for more celebrity health scares…

Previously featured on Bachelor Nation, this individual revealed that he had to visit the hospital because of severe back pain, which worsened while traveling in an RV with a companion and left him crawling on all fours for assistance.

He remarked during the March 24 edition of his “Trading Secrets” podcast that his legs, from knees to toes, were still numb, which was surprising. To provide some context, let me clarify that it’s been around two to four weeks since he was squatting about 295 pounds. At the moment, he can barely perform a squat even with both feet on the ground. He added that trying a one-legged squat would result in him losing balance, as if he had suffered a stroke or something similar.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

In December 2024, a player from the AHL had an unfortunate incident during a game where he got cut by another player’s skate, requiring 25 stitches. Later, when his son was completely healed, Tom Fitzgerald, who is the general manager of the New Jersey Devils, expressed his relief to ESPN, stating, “We were incredibly fortunate. I wouldn’t want that happening to any parent.

Back in March 2025, Gina Kirschenheiter from The Real Housewives of Orange County revealed that her former spouse, Matt Kirschenheiter, had experienced a heart attack. Fortunately, he pulled through this challenging situation.

30 Rock’s prominent actor experienced a sudden health issue during a New York Knicks basketball match in March 2025, causing him to be transported from Madison Square Garden in a stretcher.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on social media, explaining it was due to food poisoning and he was recovering well.

In February 2025, the actress from Even Stevens disclosed that she had been accidentally shot in the face during a trip where they were celebrating her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday by shooting clay pigeons.

In a tragic turn of events, there was another individual present who, acting recklessly, discharged a firearm inappropriately, striking me square in the face. Instantly, @thebrendanrooney leapt into action, evaluated my condition, and swiftly transported me to the hospital. Remarkably, I was hit in five distinct areas; one of the bullet wounds was perilously close to piercing my right eye directly.

The former star of “Kim Possible” added, “Regrettably, a piece became stuck at the back of my eye, and it’s not safe to operate on it right now. My doctors will keep a close watch on me for the time being, as I can see clearly at present.

As a die-hard admirer, let me share this profound revelation: The actress conveyed her heartfelt gratitude for merely being alive. “My heart overflows with affection for my daughters, husband, family, and friends,” she expressed. “A fleeting glimpse of my life whizzing by made me realize something incredibly poignant – seize every opportunity to embrace the people near you. Life, in a blink of an eye, can undergo transformations that are as swift as the wind.

Although the internet isn’t always compassionate, Amy Schumer is grateful that this time it provided her with helpful insights.

In a 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy, Amy reminisced about facing criticism after several media appearances, saying, “The internet was relentless, and I thought, ‘Everyone, take a breath.'” However, doctors began commenting, suggesting that something might be wrong based on her appearance. Amy humorously added, “I guess I’m being trolled by doctors now?”

After medical professionals speculated she had Cushing syndrome due to increased cortisol levels or steroid injections, the Life & Beth creator pondered, “Wait, I’ve been getting steroid injections for my scars.”

“I had a breast reduction, a C-section, and other procedures, so I was receiving these steroid injections,” Amy explained. “This led to me developing Cushing syndrome, a condition I wouldn’t have known about without the internet’s intense scrutiny.”

Now, Amy is simply relieved to know she’s okay. In a 2024 News Not Noise newsletter, she wrote, “Learning that the type of Cushing syndrome I have will resolve itself and that I am healthy was the best news I could imagine.

As an ardent admirer putting words in Hailey Bieber’s shoes, I can tell you about one harrowing episode that left her shaken – a moment that truly sent chills down her spine. It happened during a peaceful breakfast with her beloved husband, Justin Bieber, back in March 2022.

Hailey recalled the incident a month later on YouTube, sharing how Justin had asked her if she was alright, and she found herself struggling to respond. The right side of her face suddenly drooped, and she couldn’t muster a coherent sentence. Despite the alarm bells ringing, she managed to get to the hospital for a checkup.

Hailey disclosed that medical scans revealed a small blood clot in her brain, which was categorized as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). She then visited the University of California, Los Angeles, where doctors discovered a hole in her heart known as patent foramen ovale (PFO). The blood clot had somehow made its way into her heart, slipped through this hole, and eventually reached her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey underwent a successful PFO closure procedure and reported feeling fabulous ever since. Her heart, it seems, is as strong and resilient as her spirit.

In the same year as Hailey’s health issue, Justin also faced one of his own. Specifically, in June 2022, the “Baby” singer announced a diagnosis with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which led to temporary paralysis on parts of his face and ultimately required him to postpone the rest of his Justice World Tour.

In an Instagram video at the time, Justin explained that the virus attacking the nerve in his ear and facial nerves had caused the paralysis. As viewers could see, his eye wasn’t blinking, he couldn’t smile on one side of his face, and his nostril wouldn’t move – indicating full paralysis on one side.

He further shared that eating became increasingly difficult for him during this period but eventually the paralysis subsided.

Later in a June 2022 episode of Good Morning America, Hailey expressed that Justin was doing well and feeling much better. Although it had been a scary and unexpected situation, she was relieved to report that he would make a full recovery.

Initially tight-lipped about his April 2023 hospitalization, Jamie Foxx eventually disclosed the ordeal in his 2024 Netflix special titled “What Had Happened Was…”. In Atlanta, he experienced a severe headache and asked for an aspirin from a friend. Before he could get it, he lost consciousness and couldn’t recall the next 20 days.

Initially examined by a doctor who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home, his sister Deidra Dixon then drove him to a hospital where they discovered he had a brain hemorrhage leading to a stroke. Following a surgery on the 20th day, Foxx woke up in a wheelchair on May 4 unable to walk. He was subsequently taken to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

“I want to express my gratitude for every prayer,” he said, “because I needed every one of them.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, fought real-life battles off-screen. In 2019, she penned an essay entitled “A Battle for My Life” in The New Yorker. During a workout at the gym, she was struck by a severe headache that led to vomiting profusely. As the pain escalated, she realized her brain was injured.

Rushed to the hospital for a scan, she was told she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding around the brain. She had an aneurysm, a ruptured artery. The surgery to seal the aneurysm was excruciatingly painful for her.

While recovering, she struggled with aphasia, often uttering nonsensical words. Fortunately, a week later, her aphasia disappeared, and she was discharged from the hospital a month after admission.

In 2013, another brain scan revealed a growth had doubled in size, requiring another surgery. Upon waking up, she screamed in pain due to the failed procedure, and doctors explained that another operation was necessary, this time through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia is now reportedly in perfect health.

Cori Broadus, the daughter of Snoop Dogg, expresses her gratitude towards her family.

This is because they swiftly responded after she experienced a “severe stroke” in January 2024.

“I sent them a text and picture saying I had a stroke,” she shared with TopMob News‘ correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024. “Everyone came to my aid.”

Due to additional health complications, Cori found herself staying in the hospital for a longer period than anticipated.

“I could have returned home after my stroke,” she continued from her role in Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story. “However, my lupus wasn’t cooperating. My kidneys were failing, and there was a lot going on.”

Today, Cori is recovering well.

“I’m doing wonderfully,” she added. “I just needed to regain some motor skills. Apart from that, I was fine.

In her twenties, Shailene Woodley encountered numerous health troubles. At one point, she experienced hearing loss, had difficulty walking for extended periods without needing prolonged rest, and found nearly every food unbearable for her stomach. She was diagnosed with a complex mix of issues by various doctors, each offering different opinions.

Determined to find answers and solutions, Shailene, who has a background in holistic healing, sought help from both conventional medical professionals and alternative healers. This quest for wellness took a decade.

During this challenging period, Shailene developed additional struggles related to her mental health. Fearing food due to stomach pain, she developed an anxiety around eating, which led to body dysmorphia, confusion about identity, and feelings of insecurity regarding her own body.

After focusing on both her physical and mental wellbeing, Shailene is now feeling much improved. She shared that her health issues eventually resolved themselves, leaving her healthy and content with her current state.

2025-03-25 22:17

Pope Francis’ Doctors Considered Letting Him Die Amid Health Crisis

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