ROME (AP) — Pope Francis continues to recover from double pneumonia as he approaches significant milestones in his papacy. On Thursday, he will mark the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. Currently hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican reported that the 88-year-old Argentine had a quiet night on Wednesday.
According to the Vatican, it is expected that Pope Francis will participate in the spiritual retreat held by the Vatican remotely, as his physical and respiratory therapy continues. His weekly general audience has been canceled due to the retreat, which the entire Vatican hierarchy is currently attending as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that are a hallmark of the Jesuit pope's tenure.
Medical updates indicate that Pope Francis is gradually improving. Doctors have assessed that he is no longer in imminent danger following the complex respiratory infection that led to his hospitalization on February 14. However, they remain cautious due to the intricacies of his condition and overall fragility, stating he will need to stay in the hospital for an undisclosed number of days.
Another medical update from the hospital is anticipated later today. The pope's election anniversary is a public holiday in Vatican City, although the Holy See has yet to announce how this milestone will be commemorated. On Friday, Francis will also approach a milestone of 28 days of hospitalization, placing him on track to potentially equal the second-longest hospital stay for a pope, a record previously held by St. John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II's longest hospital stay was 55 days in 1981 for treatment following a minor surgical procedure and a cytomegalovirus infection. He also had a 28-day hospital stay in 1994 to repair a fractured femur. As it stands, Pope Francis's hospitalization has drawn considerable attention, particularly because there have been no recent photographs or video footage of him since his admission. He did record an audio message last week expressing gratitude for the prayers, though his voice revealed the frailty he is experiencing.
As the papal community and supporters look forward to these significant occasions, prayers continue to be offered worldwide for the pope's health and swift recovery. The Vatican maintains a level of discretion regarding the pope's health, underscoring the importance of monitoring his condition closely amid this challenging chapter in his papacy.
