Speaking to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Alfieri revealed that the Pope experienced a violent bronchospasm in which he aspirated vomit, endangering multiple organ systems.

The medical team faced a critical decision: whether to halt aggressive treatment or to push forward with interventions that carried the risk of damaging other organs.

“We had to choose whether to stop and let him go, or push forward with every available treatment—despite a high risk of damaging other organs,” Alfieri stated. “We chose to go forward.”

Massimiliano Strappetti, Francis’ longtime health aide, played a crucial role in the decision, urging doctors not to give up.

“He knows the Pope’s wishes perfectly,” Alfieri explained. “He told us: ‘Try everything.’”

The Pope remained alert and aware during the crisis, though at one point, doctors feared he might not survive the night. The medical team employed a non-invasive aspiration procedure to clear his airways, followed by an intensive regimen of medications. While concerns loomed over potential kidney and bone marrow damage, the treatment ultimately succeeded in stabilizing his condition.

Three days later, Francis suffered a second pair of acute respiratory episodes. Doctors inserted a specialized tube to remove mucus from his lungs, once again averting a life-threatening situation.

The Vatican took an unusually transparent approach during the Pope’s hospitalization, releasing detailed daily updates. According to Alfieri, Pope Francis himself insisted on honesty.

“He wanted the truth about his condition to be shared. Nothing was hidden or omitted.”

After 38 days in the hospital—the longest stay of his papacy—Francis was discharged on March 23. Appearing frail but resolute, he greeted well-wishers from a hospital balcony, thanking them for their prayers.

The Vatican has since confirmed that the Pope will undergo a strict two-month recovery period at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta. His doctors have recommended continuous medical supervision and oxygen support during his convalescence.

It remains uncertain whether the Pope will participate in upcoming events such as King Charles III’s planned visit to the Vatican or the Holy Week celebrations. Francis has not publicly led the Angelus prayer in weeks but has continued to offer reflections online, recently calling for global peace.

In a message on social media, he expressed gratitude for the prayers that supported him through his ordeal.

“Let us pray together for peace,” he wrote, citing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Reflecting on the Pope’s remarkable recovery, Alfieri credited both science and faith. “Science backs it up—prayer can have real effects,” he said. “Twice we thought we had lost him, and then it happened like a miracle.”

After 38 days in the hospital—the longest stay of his papacy—Francis was discharged on March 23.