Pope Francis was unconscious when he was taken to the hospital two weeks ago with bronchitis. According to Michele Ferri, who maintains contact with the pontiff, Francis could have died.
“A few more hours and I’m not sure I’ll be here to tell this story,” Pope Francis Michele Ferri said of his state of health.
According to the agency ReutersMichele Ferri said Pope Francis is already feeling better, as he seemed “very tired” in January.
Michele Ferri is known in the Italian media as a regular conversationalist with the Pope ever since the pontiff called him to console him after the death of his brother, who died ten years ago in a robbery.
According to the same source, the Pope is known to have a short list of people he calls regularly, often after comforting them after a tragedy. The Vatican never confirms the names, but does not deny that the Pope spoke to Michele Ferri.
Pope Francis, 86, was taken to the hospital on March 29 and released three days later.
Last week, he presided over all Easter celebrations, with the exception of an open-air service on Good Friday in Rome, which the Vatican missed due to cold weather.