The health of Pope Francis, admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome since February 14, “has presented a slight improvement,” the Vatican press office infommed today.
According to the last medical part published Monday afternoon, the Holy Father has not suffered any “asthmatic respiratory crisis during the day”, and the latest laboratory analysis “have reflected positive signs in their evolution.”
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On Saturday morning, the pontiff suffered an episode of prolonged respiratory distress due to chronic asthmatic bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia he suffers, which required the use of an oxygen mask for stabilization.
However, doctors confirmed that the Pope still needs oxygen through two small nasal cannulas, although the specialists “have reduced both the flow and the percentage of oxygen supplied.”
The Vatican also reported that renal failure in primary state, discovered on Sunday, “does not generate concern” since it is under control.
Despite this slight improvement, doctors continue to cauture the complexity of their clinical picture and, for the moment, they have not issued a definitive prognosis.
Meanwhile, the Holy Father has resumed some of his work activities. This morning, he appointed the priest Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago as the new Bishop of San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife (Spain), who currently served as secretary chancellor of the Diocese of the Canary Islands.
On his eleventh day of hospitalization, Pope Francis received the Eucharist and, in the afternoon, continued with his commitments. In addition, he resumed his habit of calling the pastor of the only Catholic parish of the Gaza Strip, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, to express his proximity.
The Pontiff also took the opportunity to thank all the faithful who have been praying for their recovery in recent days, once again demonstrating their deep link with the people of God.
The Holy See will continue to inform about the evolution of its state of health that, according to these last information, presents an improvement since the father is reacting well to the antibiotic therapies provided to stop the infection he suffers in both lungs.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.