As the Roman Catholic world settles down after the excitement of the election of a new pope they are starting to get to know this very humble man. According to Fox News published today, Pope Francis I has only one lung. “The pontiff, 76, had one of his lungs removed to treat an infection he had as a teenager, according to ABC News. At that time, it was more common to remove lungs to treat infections such as tuberculosis because antibiotics were not widely used.”
ABC News goes on to say that “even today, complications of pneumonia and whooping cough are occasionally treated by surgically removing a lung, as are some cases of lung cancer, said Dr. Len Horovitz, pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. When one lung is removed, the remaining lung inflates to take up some of the extra space. Living with one lung doesn't usually affect everyday tasks or life expectancy, though a person with one lung wouldn't be able to exercise as strenuously as a healthy person with two lungs, Horovitz said.”
However, Pope Francis I is an elderly man. According to Wise Geek, “Pneumonia is a common illness that afflicts people worldwide. Complications largely depend upon one’s health prior to the illness. Pneumonia in the elderly is particularly concerning because weak immune systems may further complicate the condition. The most serious side effects of pneumonia include bacteria in the blood stream, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure and pleural effusion [excess fluid in the pleural cavity]. Other risks of pneumonia in the elderly include aggravation of underlying health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and collapsed lung.”
The average lifespan of all the popes published in Acta Theologica Supplementum 7 2005, "Diseases and causes of death among the Popes", reproduced on ajol.info, whose ages are known to us was 61.2. “This figure rose from 46.6 in the early Middle Ages (only 12.5% of ages being known) to 66.3 in the late Middle Ages and 73.4 in the Renaissance and thereafter. The youngest was John XII (964), aged 27 and the oldest Celestine III (1198) and Leo XIII (1903), both 92. Since the Renaissance nineteen popes 19 popes have reached the age of 80 or more and the youngest died at 45.”
Acta Theologica Supplementum 7 2005 states that severe lung pathologies were described in the cases of two popes. One of the popes, Benedict XIV (1758), had severe kidney disease followed by fatal pneumonia.”
Acta Theologica Supplementum 7 2005 states that severe lung pathologies were described in the cases of two popes. One of the popes, Benedict XIV (1758), had severe kidney disease followed by fatal pneumonia.”
It is quite conceivable due to modern medical technology that Pope Francis I will be with us for some time to come. He is in good health at the moment.
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