Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni visited the pope today. In an official statement, she said that the pope was “alert and responsive” and “has not lost his legendary sense of humor.”

Doctors say pneumonia in anyone can be serious, but for someone of the pope’s age, it’s potentially life-threatening.

“The conference suddenly finds itself unable to sustain its work to care for the thousands of refugees who were welcomed into our country and assigned to the care of the USCCB by the government after being granted legal status,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB.

Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs according to the medical report from his doctors this evening, Feb. 18.

The pope needs to prepare for his inevitable decline and death.