Pope Francis rested well overnight and is in a stable condition as he fights double pneumonia in hospital for the 18th day, the Vatican said on Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff no longer requires the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe and has been without a fever, the Vatican said in its latest medical update on Sunday evening.
“The Pope rested well all night,” said a one-line note from the Vatican on Monday morning that did not provide more details.
A full medical update on the Pope’s condition is expected on
Monday evening.
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with severe respiratory problems that swiftly degenerated into double pneumonia.
This type of pneumonia causes a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them and makes breathing difficult.
The Vatican’s updates on the Pope’s condition have taken a more upbeat tone since Friday, when the Pope suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways, akin to an asthma attack, that required him to be aspirated.
On Sunday evening, the Vatican said the Pope’s condition was stable and he no longer required the use of what was described as “non-invasive, mechanical ventilation”.
According to the statement, the doctors were keeping the Pope’s prognosis as “guarded” due to the complexity of his condition, meaning he is not out of danger.
Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
He has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Delhi based journalist pickled in journalism. Have reported from nine world capitals and almost all parts of India. Over the last three decades, I have worked for India’s mainstream English dailies and contributed to All India Radio, Doordarshan and Women’s Feature Service. Also worked for international media including Japan’s leading newspaper, The Asahi Shimbun and done assignments for The Sunday Times, London, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Worked in the Embassy of France in New Delhi and can speak French to save my life. Write on Diplomacy, Politics and the social sector. Love Nature, heritage, Nature, animals and vintage cars. Enjoy cycling and playing badminton.
