Positive News: Pope Francis Shows Signs of Improvement
The latest blood tests conducted on Pope Francis at Gemelli Hospital show “a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory markers,” as reported by the medical team today.
Overall, however, “the clinical conditions of the Holy Father remain stable,” as stated in the bulletin released by the Vatican Press Office this evening. The known picture of bilateral pneumonia persists, and the treatments to eradicate it continue. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni also mentioned that the Pontiff “read some newspapers after breakfast and then engaged in work activities with his closest collaborators,” and “received the Eucharist before lunch.”
In the afternoon, Pope Francis welcomed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a private visit, lasting 20 minutes from 3:10 to 3:30 pm. According to Palazzo Chigi, the Prime Minister conveyed “get well soon” wishes on behalf of the government and the entire nation.
“I am very pleased to find him alert and responsive,” commented the Prime Minister. “We joked as usual. He has not lost his legendary sense of humor.” The Prime Minister’s remarks confirm the reports from those close to the Pope that despite his current health condition, “his mood is good.”
Agenzia ANSAPope Francis has bilateral pneumonia, remains in complex condition. But in good spirits – Vatican News – Ansa.it
Undergoing cortisone and antibiotic therapy. The Vatican press office reports that the Pontiff “is in good spirits, prays, and rests.” He removed a Canadian bishop accused of abuse (ANSA)
During his days in the tenth-floor room at Gemelli Hospital, the 88-year-old Pope also sits in a chair and is not consistently receiving additional oxygen, “self-ventilating,” according to Vatican sources.
The same sources emphasize that “the Pope’s heart is holding up very well.” The complete rest prescribed for him, with the instruction not to even “catch a draft of air,” previously meant no visitors except for direct collaborators submitting documents. However, the Prime Minister’s visit today had to deviate from these constraints.
“The Pope had a quiet night, woke up, and had breakfast,” the Vatican Press Office announced this morning after the fifth night at the University Polyclinic, following yesterday’s unsettling medical bulletin indicating a “complex situation” with the Pontiff’s clinical conditions and a chest CT scan in the afternoon revealing “the onset of bilateral pneumonia requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”
Video Pope hospitalized, a rainbow frames the sky over Gemelli
Despite initial worsening, Pope Francis continues to receive an outpouring of support and prayers from around the world. “The polymicrobial infection, arising on a background of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, necessitating cortisone and antibiotic therapy, makes the treatment more complex,” yesterday’s bulletin explained. Numerous expressions of solidarity, prayers for his recovery – also promoted by the Presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and the Diocese of Rome, among others – messages from across the globe, and drawings and letters sent by young patients from the Pediatric Oncology Department at Gemelli, flooded in.
The Pope shared the text of the catechesis he was supposed to deliver at today’s canceled general audience, focusing on the childhood of Jesus and the visit of the Magi as “pilgrims of hope,” the Jubilee’s motto. His upcoming engagements are canceled until Sunday, with the Jubilee of Deacons’ Mass to be celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. It is uncertain if and how Pope Francis will lead the Angelus. It appears that his stay at Gemelli Hospital will not be brief. Overcoming his condition entirely will take time. Meanwhile, the Vatican sources refrain from commenting on the numerous ‘fake news’ circulating about the Pope’s hospitalization and recovery. “We provide regular information,” they stress, while acknowledging that the spread of misinformation poses challenges for journalists.
Agenzia ANSAPulmonologist, ‘The Pope’s situation is serious but not compromised’ – Health – Ansa.it
The clinical condition of Pope Francis, based on the information available, appears serious and requires close monitoring but is not currently compromised. (ANSA)
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