Pope Francis Battles Pneumonia in Hospital
Update: Pope’s Condition Remains Guarded
Vatican City: Pope Francis spent a quiet night in hospital, according to a Saturday morning update from the Vatican. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been in a special papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, battling pneumonia.
Recent Developments
The pontiff has experienced several respiratory crises since his admission, with the most recent one occurring on Monday. Despite this, his condition has been described as "stable" by the Vatican for several days. However, his prognosis remains "guarded" due to his complex clinical condition.
Francis’ First Public Message Since Hospitalization
On Thursday, Francis released an audio message, the first time his voice has been heard since he went into hospital. In the message, he thanked those praying for his recovery, sounding weak and breathless despite three weeks of treatment at the Gemelli. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square. I accompany you from here," he said, taking laboured breaths every couple of words.
Daily Routine in Hospital
The pope has continued to work on some tasks and perform physiotherapy, but has mostly rested and prayed. He has also spent around 20 minutes in the little chapel inside the hospital’s papal suite. According to the Vatican, he switches between an oxygen mask at night and a cannula, a plastic tube delivering high-flow oxygen during the day.
Transparency and Updates
In an effort to be more transparent, the Vatican has been publishing updates on the pope’s condition, starting with a morning update on his sleep quality followed by a more detailed medical bulletin in the evening. However, due to the stability of his condition, there will be no medical bulletin on Friday evening, with the next update scheduled for Saturday.
Previous Hospitalizations
During previous hospitalizations, Pope Francis has appeared on the Gemelli balcony for his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer. However, he has missed the last three, and no announcement has been made about whether he will make an appearance this weekend.
Background on Pope’s Health Issues
The pope has suffered a series of health issues in recent years, including colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023. This is the longest and most serious hospitalization of his papacy.
Conclusion
Pope Francis’ condition remains a concern, and the world waits with bated breath for his recovery. Despite the challenges, the pontiff’s spirit remains strong, and his dedication to his duties as the head of the Catholic Church is unwavering.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Pope Francis’ condition?
He is battling pneumonia and has a complex clinical condition, with a guarded prognosis. - How long has Pope Francis been in hospital?
He has been in hospital since February 14. - Has Pope Francis spoken publicly since his hospitalization?
Yes, he released an audio message on Thursday, thanking those praying for his recovery. - Will Pope Francis make an appearance on the Gemelli balcony this weekend?
No announcement has been made, and he has missed the last three appearances.