Read Time: 3 minutes
VATICAN CITY, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, is in a stable condition and has shown “slight improvement” in results from recent blood tests, the Vatican said on Wednesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff is undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14 after struggling with breathing difficulties for several days.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are stable,” said a brief Vatican statement. “Blood tests … show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers.”
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs and makes breathing more difficult.
The Vatican had said previously that the pope had a polymicrobial infection, which occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved, adding that he would stay in hospital as long as necessary to tackle a “complex clinical situation”.
Francis received a visit earlier in the day from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said he was “alert and responsive,” and had made jokes with her.
“He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour,” said Meloni, the pope’s first known visitor in hospital.
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the pope’s condition, said earlier on Wednesday that Francis was not on a ventilator and was breathing on his own.
The official said the pope had been able to get out of bed and sit in an armchair in his hospital room, and was continuing to do some work.
Messages of support for Francis have come in from around the world, the Vatican’s official media outlet reported. Pilgrims at the Vatican on Wednesday for the pope’s cancelled weekly audience expressed hope for his recovery.
“We will pray for him so that he can recover as soon as possible,” said Gianfranco Rizzo, a pilgrim from Bari, Italy.
The pope has been plagued by ill health in recent years, including regular bouts of flu. He is especially prone to lung infections because as a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.
All the pope’s public engagements have been cancelled through Sunday and he has no further official events on the Vatican’s published calendar.
‘TARGETED THERAPY’
Gemelli hospital, Rome’s largest, has a special suite for treating popes, and is known especially for often treating the late Pope John Paul II during his long papacy.
Francis spent nine days at Gemelli in June 2023, when he had surgery to repair an abdominal hernia.
Outside the hospital on Wednesday, people were leaving flowers and personal notes under a statue of John Paul II, wishing Francis a speedy recovery.
Victoria Darmody, a tourist from England, said she came to the hospital just to be near the pope. “We were hoping to go to the papal audience today but felt this was the right place to be instead,” she said.
Andrea Vicini, a Jesuit priest and medical doctor, said it was notable that the Vatican’s statement on Tuesday referred to the pontiff as having the onset of pneumonia and not bronchopneumonia. The latter would indicate an infection that is more widespread, he said.
“It (sounds like) it’s more localized and has not spread,” said Vicini, a professor at Boston College, who said he did not have details of the pope’s case beyond the Vatican’s public statements.
“If they identified the pathogen, as I expect they would have done, they will have a very targeted therapy,” he said. “I am optimistic. It seems they are controlling what is happening.”
Work at the Vatican was continuing as the pope was in hospital. One senior official, Cardinal Michael Czerny, left on Wednesday for a five-day visit to Lebanon.
The Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, returned to Rome as scheduled on Wednesday from a trip to Burkina Faso.
you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter
Excellent blog here Also your website loads up very fast What web host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Thank you for the good writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how could we communicate
Thanks I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain in regards to the supply
What i do not understood is in truth how you are not actually a lot more smartlyliked than you may be now You are very intelligent You realize therefore significantly in the case of this topic produced me individually imagine it from numerous numerous angles Its like men and women dont seem to be fascinated until it is one thing to do with Woman gaga Your own stuffs nice All the time care for it up
Your blog has become an indispensable resource for me. I’m always excited to see what new insights you have to offer. Thank you for consistently delivering top-notch content!
Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!
of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come back again
Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your website in web explorer, would test this?K IE still is the marketplace leader and a good component of other people will omit your magnificent writing due to this problem.
Great site. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!
Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
HSBC’s home equity release offers are a popular choice for homeowners looking to unlock the value of their property without the need to sell. Funds can be used for purposes including home improvements, healthcare needs, or gifting to family. The equity release scheme makes it possible to set up drawdowns, all while staying in your home.
Are you considering a loan against your home to manage your debts? Explore your choices and see what options may be available to you.
Considering releasing equity from your home? Review top lenders and learn about your financial responsibilities before making a decision.
You may be able to borrow more and enjoy better interest rates by using your home’s equity. Find the best current offers today.
Not sure if a secured loan is right for you? Explore the benefits, such as lower interest rates and larger borrowing amounts.
Uncertain whether a secured loan is right for you? Explore the benefits, such as lower interest rates and increased flexibility.
Thinking about a loan against your home to consolidate your financial obligations? Find out more and see what options may be available to you.
Thinking about a loan against your home to manage your debts? Explore your choices and check what solutions may be available to you.
If you’re a property owner looking to get a loan, a secured loan could be a sensible option. Access better rates by using your home as collateral.
Unlock the equity in your property with a reliable home equity loan — suitable for funding home improvements, large expenses, or debt consolidation.
If you’re a homeowner looking to borrow money, a secured loan could be a sensible option. Leverage better rates by using your home as security.
You may be able to borrow more and enjoy lower monthly repayments by taking out a loan secured on your property. Review current offers today.
Equity release solutions may provide the financial support you’ve been needing. Learn how to use the equity tied up in your home without having to move.
You may be able to borrow more and enjoy better interest rates by using your home’s equity. Review current offers today.
If you’re a homeowner looking to get a loan, a secured loan could be a wise option. Leverage better rates by using your home as collateral.
Thinking about a loan against your home to consolidate your financial obligations? Explore your choices and see what options may be available to you.
You may be able to borrow more and enjoy better interest rates by using your home’s equity. Review current offers today.
Thinking about releasing equity from your home? Compare top lenders and understand your financial responsibilities before making a decision.
I not to mention my buddies were found to be taking note of the great techniques located on your web blog then suddenly I got an awful feeling I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. Those guys came certainly stimulated to study them and have really been making the most of these things. Many thanks for truly being quite kind as well as for utilizing these kinds of cool useful guides millions of individuals are really desperate to understand about. My personal honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
You are a very clever person!
Not sure if a secured loan is right for you? Explore the benefits, such as more favourable terms and increased flexibility.
Are you considering a secured loan to consolidate your debts? Find out more and see what options may be available to you.
Thinking about releasing equity from your home? Compare top lenders and learn about your financial responsibilities before making a decision.
Thinking about releasing equity from your home? Review top lenders and learn about your rights and obligations before making a decision.
Unlock the value in your property with a reliable home equity loan — suitable for covering home improvements, major purchases, or refinancing.
I learned a lot from this.
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?
The breadth in this content is praiseworthy.
Thanks for publishing. It’s brilliant work.
The clarity in this content is commendable.
More articles like this would make the online space better.
Such a helpful read.
Hello. impressive job. I did not expect this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
Such a informative bit of content.
I took away a great deal from this.
I learned a lot from this.
Thanks for publishing. It’s a solid effort.
More posts like this would make the internet a better place.
Such a useful bit of content.
This write-up is top-notch.
More posts like this would make the blogosphere a better place.
I genuinely appreciated the way this was explained.
I learned a lot from this.
The clarity in this piece is remarkable.
More posts like this would make the internet better.