THE Pope has warned aides he may not survive the illness he is battling in hospital and is preparing his legacy, according to reports.
Two people close to the Pontiff claimed Francis, 88, told them he "might not make it this time", according to a report by Politico.
Pope Francis was rushed to hospital last Friday, where he has now been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
Despite the Vatican previously saying Francis's condition was stable, the new reports suggest he fears he will soon die and is "tying up loose ends" ahead of his successor.
Two aides have reportedly said the Pope is suffering with intense pain and is now completely following "doctors' orders".
He is also said to be distressed after being barred from delivering his regular morning Angelus sermon, which he has rarely missed - even when hospitalised.
Pope Francis was admitted to a special ward at Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14, after a suffering for a week with bronchitis.
He was reportedly reluctant to go in, but agreed after doctors told him "in no uncertain terms he was at risk of dying" if he stayed at the Vatican.
Then, the Vatican warned on Monday that a longer hospital stay was needed in the face of a "complex clinical picture" which involved a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract".
They also offered hope to Catholics around the world by saying the Pope's condition was "stable", and that he did not have a fever.
But all of the Pope's engagements have been cancelled, and it seems he is not optimistic after the double-lung pneumonia was confirmed.
A statement issued by the Vatican yesterday read: "The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon [...] demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy."
Pope Francis, 88, battling 'complex' illness in hospital as Vatican issues new statement on his health
They added that Francis' respiratory infection also involved asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of an extensive antibiotic treatment.
The Pope had part of his lung removed years ago, meaning he is particularly vulnerable to pulmonary conditions.
Expert Italian pulmonologist Barbara Moscatelli told the National Catholic Reporter that the condition is "neither easy to define or to manage".
However, even yesterday the Pope was said to be in good spirits and grateful for all the prayers for his speedy recovery.
