By: Mike Crooks
Pope Francis’s condition continues to improve.
The Vatican told the US ABC network this week that the pontiff is no longer in “imminent danger”, and that he had shown a “good response” to his treatment.
But his condition remains “complex”.
Hospitalisation
Pope Francis has been in hospital now for 28 days. He was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with bronchitis. Days later, the Vatican revealed the pontiff was battling pneumonia in both lungs, but no prognosis was provided.
“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for pharmacological therapies to provide some feedback, require that the prognosis remain reserved,” a Vatican statement read at the time.
A week after his admittance to hospital, blood tests revealed the 88-year-old was showing “mild signs” of kidney failure. The Vatican said the Pope had “initial, mild, renal insufficiency”.
Prognosis lifted
The Vatican has now revealed that doctors have “lifted” the Pope’s ‘guarded’ prognosis, meaning that they have determined he is no longer in imminent danger. As the Vatican explained, he will remain in hospital for the time being.
“In view of the complexity of the clinical picture and the important infectious picture presented on admission, it will be necessary to continue medical drug therapy in a hospital setting for additional days,” the Vatican said.
Stable
On Wednesday night, the Holy See’s press office reiterated that the Pope’s clinical situation remained stable, and with slight improvements, yet was still complex, and that the Pope was engaging in “prayer, rest, and respiratory physiotherapy”.
“The Holy Father continues to undergo high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation during nighttime rest,” the statement said.
News on Thursday morning was that Pope Francis continued following the spiritual exercises of the ‘Roman Curia’ via video link, and was continuing his treatment and mobility-related physical therapy. He also went to the hospital chapel to pray.
Spiritual Retreat
Francis also attended a Lenten spiritual retreat on Monday via videoconference. The week-long retreat is an annual Vatican gathering that begins the season of Lent, leading to Easter.
As a result of his hospitalisation, Francis missed his weekly blessing at Saint Peter’s Square for the fourth consecutive Sunday. However, he sent a message to be read out, which paid tribute to staff at Gemelli Hospital.
“While I am here, I think of the many people who are… close to the sick,” he said of the medical staff. During my prolonged hospitalisation here, I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and health care workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart.”
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Pope Francis photographed in Italy, June 2024 – Photo by Lula Official, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic.
About the author: Michael Crooks is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine and more.