Pope Francis remains stable and spends the day sitting in an armchair

The Vatican reported Wednesday that Pope Francis “has remained stable, without presenting episodes of respiratory failure.”

He also said that, as programmed, during the day he has performed high flow oxygen therapy and at night the non -invasive mechanical ventilation will be resumed, just like the previous night.

The Holy Father has also intensified respiratory physiotherapy and active motor skills. In addition, according to the Vatican, “the day has passed in an armchair.”

This morning, in his private apartment on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Hospital, the Holy Father participated in the rite of the blessing of the Holy ashes, which were imposed by the celebrant, and then received the Eucharist. Subsequently, he dedicated himself to some work activities.

Also in the morning he called Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of the Sagrada Familia de Gaza, whom he has called every day since the war in Ukraine began. In the afternoon, he alternated the rest with the work.

The Holy Father seemed to have recovered and maintained stability during the last weekend after having suffered a Broncoospasm crisis on Friday afternoon. This episode also caused a vomit by inhalation and a worsening of its respiratory picture.

This crisis was repeated on Monday, even twice, and although this time he did not vomit, the doctors had to perform two bronchoscopies to aspire the abundant secretions of the bronchials.

After this event, the Holy Father resumed non -invasive mechanical ventilation, a respiratory support method that helps patients to breathe without the need for intubation and is administered through a mask that covers the nose and mouth.

The Pontiff has used this support for the whole night yesterday and will also do so. Vatican sources confirmed Monday that these crises are normal in a patient with bilateral pneumonia.

Doctors maintain the reserved prognosis due to the complexity of their clinical picture and insist that, despite stability, it is not ruled out that more crises may appear in the future.