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Pope Francis passed another peaceful night in hospital, “got up and had breakfast in his armchair”, the Vatican said Thursday, the day after reporting a slight improvement in his condition. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Friday with bronchitis, but it later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking widespread alarm....READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE | READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE
Vatican sources said, however, that despite his illness the Argentine pope was still trying to work, reading and signing documents, writing, speaking with his collaborators, and keeping up with the news.
In a Wednesday evening update, the Vatican said the pope’s blood tests had shown a “slight improvement” and his clinical conditions were stable.
He had enough energy to receive Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a 20-minute visit.
The far-right leader said in a statement afterward she found him “alert and responsive”.
“We joked as always. He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour,” she said.
The pope has already cancelled his appointments on his calendar this week, including a Saturday audience and Sunday mass at St Peter’s Basilica.
But it was still unknown whether the pope would give the traditional Angelus prayer at midday following mass, which will be presided over by a cardinal in Francis’s absence.
“We still don’t know how it will work,” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Thursday.
The double pneumonia diagnosis comes after the pope has suffered a series of issues in recent years, from colon and hernia surgery to problems walking and pain in his hip and knee.
The Vatican has been issuing regular updates, however banal, in a bid to counter widespread speculation — particularly online — that he is dying or even dead.
Wednesday evening’s statement pointed to a modest change for the better.
“The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory indices,” read the statement.
Following breakfast, Francis “dedicated himself to work activities with his closest collaborators”, it added. A Vatican source had on Wednesday said the pope was “breathing on his own. His heart is holding up very well”...CONTINUE THE FULL READING HERE:
