March 11, World (LNW): Doctors have confirmed that Pope Francis is no longer at immediate risk of death following his battle with pneumonia, but have decided to keep him in hospital for further treatment over the coming days.
In an update released on Monday, the Vatican announced that the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition remains stable, with recent tests indicating positive responses to medication and a steady improvement in his health.
Whilst Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger, medical professionals have stated that due to the complexity of his condition and the nature of the infection that led to his hospitalisation, it will be necessary for him to continue receiving treatment in a hospital setting for several more days.
The Vatican emphasised that ongoing medical therapy will remain crucial to ensure his full recovery.
In the meantime, the Pope has been able to participate remotely in the Vatican’s annual spiritual retreat, which marks the beginning of the Catholic Church’s Lenten season.
From his hospital room in Rome, Pope Francis followed the retreat via video conference, although he was not able to interact directly with the group of priests, bishops, and cardinals present in the Vatican auditorium.
Whilst the attendees could see and hear the Rev Roberto Pasolini, who is leading the retreat, they were unable to see or hear the Pope.
This year’s retreat, which has the theme of “The hope of eternal life,” was planned long before Pope Francis’ hospitalisation in mid-February due to a serious lung infection.
As the retreat continues throughout the week, the Pope has participated in spiritual communion with the clergy from his hospital bed, continuing to stay involved in the church’s important traditions whilst recovering.
Pope Francis’ health struggles began when what seemed to be a severe case of bronchitis developed into a complicated respiratory infection, eventually leading to double pneumonia.
His ongoing recovery has been more prolonged than initially anticipated, marking the longest period of illness in his 12-year papacy, and raising increasing speculation about the future of his papacy.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis has been receiving physical and respiratory therapy to aid his recovery. He has been using a nasal tube during the day to provide supplemental oxygen and relies on a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.
The Pope, who has a long history of chronic lung issues and underwent surgery to remove part of one of his lungs when he was younger, is being closely monitored by his medical team.
