The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is responding positively to the medical treatment he is receiving for double pneumonia, and his doctors no longer have concerns about his life. They stated that the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition is now “stable”, with the previous prognosis of “guarded” being lifted, indicating that he is out of danger and could be discharged from the hospital soon.
Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital for over three weeks now, after being admitted on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that required ongoing treatment.
According to the Vatican, the pope’s doctors have observed “improvements” in his health in recent days, which have been confirmed through blood tests, clinical evaluations, and his positive response to the prescribed medications. They anticipate that Francis will continue to receive medical treatment in the hospital for a few more days.
Although an exact date for his discharge was not provided, Francis has been in a stable or improving condition for the past week, following two episodes of “acute respiratory insufficiency” on March 3.
The Vatican also mentioned that the pope is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to assist with his breathing, as well as physical therapy to aid in his mobility. He is currently receiving oxygen therapy, using a small oxygen tube during the day and noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night.
Due to previous health issues, including pleurisy in his youth and the removal of part of his lung, Francis is susceptible to lung infections. Double pneumonia is a serious condition that can cause inflammation and scarring in both lungs, leading to breathing difficulties.
Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to work and stay informed about current events, such as the recent floods in his native Argentina. We wish him a speedy recovery.
