Pope Francis no longer needs the “non-invasive mechanical ventilation” he has used most nights since experiencing a breathing “crisis” on February 28, his doctors reported overnight. Source: CNS.
“The Holy Father’s clinical condition is confirmed to be improving,” the doctors said via a bulletin released on the Feast of St Joseph.
In addition to discontinuing the nightly use of the ventilation, the doctors said the 88-year-old Pope also has a reduced need for the “high-flow oxygen therapy” through a nasal tube that he had been using during the day.
The Vatican press office had said Pope Francis had spent the night of March 17-18 without needing the ventilation through a mask. Instead, the Pope received high-flow oxygen through a nasal tube.
The Pope, who has been hospitalised since February 14, also continues to make progress in his physical therapy and his respiratory therapy, the bulletin said.
Pope Francis was able to concelebrate Mass in the chapel of his suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for the feast of St Joseph, one of his favourite saints and the 12th anniversary of the solemn inauguration of his pontificate.
The Vatican press office said the Pope’s double pneumonia and infections were “under control,” with his blood counts within the normal range and no episodes of fever.
No estimate has been made for how long the Pope will remain in hospital, and the Vatican press office said no decisions have been made regarding the Vatican celebrations of Palm Sunday (April 13) nor of Holy Week and Easter.
The Pope’s doctors, citing his “gradual” improvement, stopped providing daily medical bulletins on March 6, the same evening the Vatican released a very brief audio message from Pope Francis thanking people for their prayers.
Apparently satisfied that his condition was consistently improving, the press office said it did not plan to issue a statement today and a medical bulletin was not expected before March 24.
FULL STORY
Pope’s doctors report more improvement, but no date for his release (By Cindy Wooden, CNS)
