The medical staff looking after Pope Francis considered stopping his treatment so he could die, according to the lead doctor, while the 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized with a drawn-out respiratory illness.

Professor Sergio Alfieri told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera the most critical moment came on Feb. 28 when the pope had a breathing crisis and inhaled his own vomit.

“We had to choose whether to stop and let him go or force it and try with all the drugs and therapies possible, running the very high risk of damaging other organs. And in the end, we took this path,” Alfieri said.

Alfieri, who led the team at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said the decision to continue with treatment was made by Francis’ nurse. “The Holy Father always decides. He delegated all kinds of health care choices to Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant who knows perfectly well the Pontiff’s wishes.”