Candles and pictures of Pope Francis seen outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, on Sunday, where the Pontiff is hospitalised since Feb. 14. Image: AP.
(The Post News)- Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia, received high flows of oxygen after experiencing a respiratory crisis. The Vatican reported that he had a peaceful night and remains in critical condition, but showed a slight improvement with no new asthmatic respiratory crises. His mild kidney issues are not concerning, and his oxygen therapy has been slightly reduced.
Despite his condition, Francis can still move, eat normally, and continues his work, including receiving the Eucharist and making a phone call to the Parish Priest of Gaza. Faith leaders and worshippers around the world are praying for the pope’s recovery.
Earlier reports showed “slight improvement” but stated that he is still in “critical” condition, the Vatican said in an update on Monday, adding that his mild kidney issues are not concerning.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, although critical, show a slight improvement. Even today, there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory crises; some laboratory tests have improved,” the statement read.
The Vatican added that Francis’ mild kidney issues, first announced on Sunday, do “not cause concern” and that his oxygen therapy continues “with slightly reduced flows and percentage of oxygen.”
“The doctors, considering the complexity of the clinical picture, prudently do not yet release the prognosis,” the Vatican said on Monday about the 88-year-old pontiff who has been in the hospital battling pneumonia in both lungs.
Francis can still move, is not bedridden, and is eating normally, Vatican sources told CNN on Monday.
On Monday morning, Francis received the Eucharist and resumed work in the afternoon, the Vatican said. In the evening, he called the Parish Priest of the Parish of Gaza, with whom he has been in frequent contact since Israel launched its siege on the enclave following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.
The pope was first admitted to a clinic in Rome 10 days ago, undergoing tests for a respiratory tract infection. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia.
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