Pope Francis Resting Well in Hospital, Vatican Reports
ROME: Pope Francis is reportedly resting well in the hospital, according to a statement from the Vatican on Monday. This comes after the 88-year-old pontiff was noted to be in a "stable" condition following his hospital stay.
The Pope was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14 due to bronchitis, which later progressed to pneumonia affecting both lungs. After experiencing a breathing issue last Friday, the Vatican confirmed on Saturday that his situation was now stable, a message they reiterated on Sunday evening.
In their update on Monday morning, the Holy See stated, "The pope rested well all night." Previously, he had needed a mask for non-invasive ventilation on Friday and Saturday, but it was announced on Sunday that this was no longer necessary. However, Pope Francis is still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy.
The Vatican also reported that the Pope did not have a fever and participated in mass on Sunday morning. He spent the rest of the day balancing prayer and rest. A Vatican source mentioned that after 48 hours since the breathing issue, there seemed to be "no further consequences" from that event. Yet, the statement added that due to the complexities of his health condition, the prognosis remains uncertain.
On Sunday, the Pope met with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, both key figures in the Vatican. Pope Francis, who has been the head of the Catholic Church since March 2013, is being treated in a special suite designated for popes on the 10th floor of the hospital.
During his recovery, the Pope has missed his traditional Angelus prayer for the third Sunday in a row, and the Vatican released a written message instead. In his message, he expressed gratitude to those praying for him, saying, “I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all.”
