ROME (AP) – Doctors of Pope Francis are scheduled to provide their first in-person update regarding the pontiff’s health in a month, indicating positive and steady progress in his recovery from double pneumonia. This briefing will take place on Saturday evening, marking the first update since February 21, just a week after the 88-year-old pope’s admission to Gemelli Hospital.
Pope Francis, who has a history of chronic lung disease, was initially hospitalized after a bout of bronchitis escalated into more serious respiratory issues. During his stay at the hospital, he faced critical moments, including several respiratory crises that placed him in a precarious condition. However, the Vatican has reported that he has since stabilized.
In a significant development, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will make a live appearance on Sunday morning to bless the faithful from his 10th-floor suite at the hospital. Although he communicated via an audio message on March 6 and the Vatican shared a photo of him on March 16, this Sunday’s blessing will be his first live public appearance since his hospitalization on February 14—marking the longest stay in the hospital during his 12-year papacy.
Throughout his treatment, Pope Francis has been monitored closely due to his underlying health conditions, including a partial lung removal as a young man. His doctors initially diagnosed him with a complex infection involving bacterial, viral, and fungal elements in the respiratory tract, which swiftly progressed to pneumonia affecting both of his lungs. Blood tests revealed signs of anemia, reduced platelets, and early kidney failure, all of which were later resolved following two blood transfusions.
Serious health setbacks for the pope emerged on February 28, when he experienced an acute coughing fit, leading to the inhalation of vomit. This incident required the use of a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask for support. Following this, he faced two additional respiratory crises that necessitated the manual aspiration of mucus by medical staff. To assist in fluid clearance from his lungs, the pope has been sleeping with the ventilation mask at night.
Despite the gravity of his condition, reports indicated that he remained alert and cooperative throughout this challenging period. In recent weeks, the Vatican press office has shared updates indicating that he has stabilized, showing slight but promising improvements. Notably, he is no longer required to wear the ventilation mask at night and is decreasing his dependence on high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day.
