VATICAN CITY:
The Vatican has reported that Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night as he continues to recover from pneumonia, with doctors expressing optimism about his steady progress.
The 86-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks due to a severe respiratory infection that has necessitated ongoing treatment.
“The clinical condition of the Holy Father continues to improve,” stated the latest medical update released on Wednesday.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight, a method that involves a mask to assist airflow into the lungs. This ventilation has now been “suspended,” according to the Vatican. However, he continues to receive oxygen through a small nasal tube.
The Vatican press office confirmed that the pope’s infection is under control, with no fever and normal blood test results.
While the pope’s condition has been described as stable or improving for the past two weeks, the Vatican has not provided a specific timeline for his discharge, noting that his recovery is progressing gradually.
Pope Francis is particularly susceptible to lung infections due to a history of pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one lung.
As part of his treatment, he has been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to aid his breathing and physical therapy to improve mobility. In recent years, the pope has relied on a wheelchair due to chronic knee and back pain.
Medical experts not involved in his care have noted that, given his age and underlying health issues, the pope may face a prolonged and challenging recovery process.
### Children Send Letters to the Pope
Pope Francis’ extended hospital stay marks his longest period out of the public eye since becoming pontiff in 2013.
On Sunday, the Vatican released the first image of Francis during his hospitalization, showing him praying in a chapel.
In a sign that the Vatican may anticipate his discharge by the end of the month, Britain’s King Charles announced on Tuesday that he and Queen Camilla will proceed with their planned visit to Italy and the Vatican in early April. The royal couple is tentatively scheduled to meet Pope Francis on April 8, an appointment typically arranged in close coordination with senior Vatican officials.
The pope has received an outpouring of support during his hospitalization, including heartfelt letters from children. Italy’s postal service revealed that Francis has been receiving approximately 150 kg (331 lbs) of additional mail daily from around the world.
To manage the influx, the hospital has been sending a van daily to collect the mail addressed to the pontiff.
