Pope Francis has remained stable for another day as he recovers from double pneumonia, releasing an audio message thanking those praying for him, as Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has joined prayer vigils at St Peter’s Square. Source: Vatican News/NCR/7 News.
“I thank you with all my heart for the prayers you offer for my health from [St Peter’s] Square. I accompany you from here. May God bless you, and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
Pope Francis’ message of thanks, in Spanish, for the many testimonies of love and closeness was broadcast in St Peter’s Square at 9 pm Rome at the beginning of the Rosary prayer, led on Friday evening by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, reported Vatican News.
Meanwhile, A Vatican statement released at 7:45 pm local time on March 6 (5.45am AEDT) said the Pontiff has not had any new episodes of respiratory failure since March 3. The report noted that the Pope’s blood pressure and other bloodwork also remained normal and that the octogenarian Pontiff remains without a fever.
It is now three weeks since the 88-year-old pontiff first entered hospital on February 14 following several weeks of experiencing respiratory difficulties that developed into double pneumonia.
Given the relatively positive outlook, the Vatican noted that it would wait 48 hours until the next medical update on Francis’ health is provided, unless there are any notable developments.
A Vatican source confirmed that during the day on Thursday, Francis received high-flow oxygen through nasal tubes. Throughout the past week, the Pope has been rotating between receiving oxygen through a mechanical ventilation mask at night and through nasal cannulas during the day.
The Pope also continues to receive physical therapy to improve his mobility, and he is able to eat solid food. During the afternoon on Thursday, the Pope engaged in light work activities.
Archbishop Fisher, who has been in Rome for meetings of the Pontifical Academy for Life, has, like thousands of others, visited St Peter’s Square nightly while in Rome to pray for the Pope’s health.
“The Pope matters a lot to us as a unifier for the whole Church and teacher for the whole Church and governor for the whole Church — so, when he’s not well, it troubles every Catholic and many Catholics do have a particular love for this Pope,” he told Seven News.
“I think that the Pope is going through this stage of his life in Lent is actually very spiritually fitting, because that’s the time we look forward to Christ’s suffering in Holy Week and ultimate resurrection,” he said.
“So, I think if you’d ask the Pope if you’re going to be sick at any time, if you’re going to be sick for an extended period, when should it be? I think he’d say in Lent.”
FULL STORY
Pope from hospital: ‘Thank you for your prayers, I accompany you from here’ (Vatican News)
Pope Francis, remaining stable, continues to recover in positive direction (By Christopher White, NCR)
