The Vatican announced early Sunday that Pope Francis is “still resting following a peaceful night” as he recovers from double pneumonia.
According to the Vatican, Francis’s condition “remained stable with respiratory physiotherapy alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation with a good response to gas exchange.”
He showed no fever or signs of infection.
Doctors reported on Saturday that Francis was stable and improving. This positive assessment followed a respiratory crisis that required noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
Doctors remained cautious, maintaining a guarded prognosis. He was eating and drinking, continuing respiratory physiotherapy, and spent 20 minutes in his private chapel on Saturday, according to the Vatican.
The Vatican reported that the 88-year-old pope had a “good response” in his gas exchange levels, even during “long periods” off the ventilator mask while using only high-flow supplemental oxygen.
For the third consecutive weekend, Francis has canceled his Sunday Angelus prayer. The Vatican plans to distribute the prepared text while Francis continues his recovery.
The Pope, who had a portion of one lung removed in his youth, has lung disease and was admitted to Gemelli on February 14 after bronchitis worsened into complex pneumonia in both lungs.
Francis’s hospitalization coincides with the Vatican’s Holy Year, which is attracting pilgrims to Rome. They are passing through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica and visiting Assisi to pray at the home of St. Francis.
Francis was scheduled to preside over a Holy Year audience on Saturday for Gemelli hospital staff and other healthcare workers. They proceeded with their pilgrimage as planned, while Francis continued his recovery at the hospital.
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