Pope Francis, 88, continues to improve after being hospitalized on February 14 at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. Although his prognosis is still “reserved”, the Vatican confirmed that antibiotic therapy has resulted and is no longer in critical condition.
“It is confirmed that the clinical status of the Holy Father is improving today,” Point out the last medical report on Thursday, February 27. In addition, Vatican Fuentes confirmed to the press: “We have left the critical situation.”
Receive the main news of ACI Press by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social networks. Subscribe to our free channels today:
Treatment and evolution
Despite the improvement, the Holy Father, who was hospitalized on February 14 at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, continues to receive oxygen therapy. In any case, the modality in which oxygen has been provided has been changed and the amount has also been reduced.
During the last days doctors had privileged the used of nasal cannulas, that is, a flexible tube that adapts around the head and forks in two small tips that are introduced into the nostrils.
However, since Thursday, Pope Francis is using Venturi’s mask, also known as Ventimaskwhich is a lighter solution with respect to high flows.
In any case, due to the complexity of the clinical picture, with a polymicrobial infection in the two lungs, “additional days of clinical stability are required to solve the prognosis,” says the Vatican. This means that doctors Tusdavía do not have enough information to evaluate evolution.
According to the medical bulletin this Thursday afternoon, the Holy Father dedicated the morning “to respiratory physiotherapy, alternating it with rest.”
Vatican sources confirmed that the exercises prescribed to the Pope, which he also performed in the afternoon, implies a movement of the diaphragm and therefore prolonged inhalations.
Some activities carried out by the Pope
The Pontiff has not received visits since Monday when he met with the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who plays the role of substitute.
In any case, the Vatican reported that “he gathered in prayer” in the private chapel that he has available to the tenth of the twenty floor, and received the Eucharist. This means that he has not yet been able to celebrate it.
Pope Francis later resumed work activities. In the February 26 medical report, it was also reported that renal failure detected last Sunday had completely referred.
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.