Pope Francis continues to recover from double pneumonia, with the Vatican no longer describing his condition as “critical” for a second day. Source: NCR Online.
The medical team for the 88-year-old pontiff would like to see more days of “clinical stability” before revising their guarded prognosis, according to a Vatican statement released at 6.55pm local time (4.55am AEDT).
Even so, the latest report notes that the pontiff’s clinical conditions are “improving” two-weeks after he entered Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14.
For the first time today, the Pope’s supplemental oxygen treatment alternated between high flow oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula and with a mask, which provides a lighter supply.
The Pope continued to receive respiratory physiotherapy yesterday, both in the morning and afternoon.
Francis also prayed in the private chapel of his hospital suite, where he received the Eucharist, according to the medical bulletin.
Vatican sources say the Pope is in good spirits and is moving around his hospital room and continuing to engage in work activities, primarily by reading and signing documents that he receives from his secretaries.
Across the globe, special prayer services have been organised to pray for the Pope’s recovery – ranging from gatherings of thousands of Catholics at the Vatican to eclectic interfaith services in remote corners of the world.
This weekend, a Hindu cleric will lead a candlelight vigil in Nevada; in Sri Lanka, Buddhist months that met from Francis during his visit there in 2015 have organised a special prayer ritual for his healing; and the American Jewish Committee has issued a call for prayer on the pontiff’s behalf.
Outside of the Gemelli Hospital, a group of Mexican pilgrims gathered to recite the d and sing songs to Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Vatican-organised Rosary service for the Pope’s health is also continuing nightly at 9pm local time (7am AEDT).
FULL STORY
Pope Francis continues to improve but prognosis remains unchanged (By Christopher White, NCR Online)
