Pope Francis remains in critical condition, but is “stable” and working from his sick bed as the 88-year-old pontiff continues his nearly two-week long hospitalisation for double pneumonia. Source: NCR Online
According to a Vatican statement released overnight (7.20pm local time, 5.20am AEDT), the Pope has not experienced any further acute respiratory episodes and his blood pressure and heart rate remain stable.
The Vatican said that his “prognosis remains reserved,” as his medical picture continues to be complex.
Yesterday afternoon, the Pope also underwent a CT scan to monitor his bilateral pneumonia, which was first diagnosed on February 18.
On Monday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the sostituto (effectively the Pope’s chief of staff) visited Francis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Their visit was not announced until yesterday when the Vatican said the Pope had authorised new decrees for the creation of new saints during a meeting with his top two deputies on Monday.
A statement also noted that the Pope decided that he will convene a consistory – a Vatican administrative meeting – regarding the upcoming canonisations of new saints.
This decision, along with his decision to receive visitors despite the doctor’s orders of “complete rest,” has largely been interpreted as a sign of the pontiff’s resolve to return to the Vatican and continue his work.
At 9pm local time (7am AEDT), Vatican cardinals and curial officials gathered in St Peter’s Square for a second night in a row with faithful from all over the world to recite a Rosary for the Pope’s recovery.
Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation, presided over the prayer service. Monday night’s Rosary was led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
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Pope Francis’ condition critical but stable as hospitalisation continues (By Christopher White, NCR Online)
