Online Reporter
VATICAN. — Pope Francis is doing some work in hospital while undergoing various treatments for double pneumonia, a Vatican official said yesterday.
The 88-year-old pontiff was spending his 14th day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital with the severe respiratory infection, which triggered various complications.
The Vatican said he had spent a restful night, after saying on Wednesday evening that there had been a “further, slight improvement” in his condition.
It said a “mild kidney insufficiency” had been resolved but that his prognosis was still “guarded”, meaning he was not out of danger.
Francis, known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican from hospital, as staff appointments requiring his approval are announced daily.
On Wednesday, it said he had created a commission to encourage donations to help address a widening gap in finances, including an US$87 million budget shortfall.
The Vatican has been much more forthcoming about the pope’s health than in the past, trying to pre-empt the spread of misinformation.
Brief early-morning statements are followed daily by more detailed evening updates.
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the pope’s condition, said Francis was alert, continuing his treatments, and able to eat normally and move about his room.
The official said it was unclear how long Francis would remain in hospital.
He was still receiving supplementary oxygen from a small tube under his nose, but was breathing on his own.
The Vatican said a public audience tomorrow had been cancelled, but did not say whether he would lead his usual weekly prayer with pilgrims on Sunday.
Francis has not been seen in public since being admitted to hospital.
On Wednesday, the Vatican said for the first time that he was receiving respiratory physiotherapy, normally aimed at improving lung function, clearing secretions and making breathing more efficient.
Francis has suffered several bouts of ill health over the past two years. He is prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection of both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.
The Vatican said Francis suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” on Saturday, but there have been no repeats.
Hundreds of people have assembled in St Peter’s Square over the past three evenings for prayer vigils, while well-wishers have also gathered outside the hospital.
“At this moment, I think I feel confident. I am happy with the news that I’m getting from Vatican News, that he is getting better,” said one of those, Sister Theodosia Baki from Cameroon. — Reuters.
Mathew Masinge