Pope Francis is responding “positively” to treatment for pneumonia, the Vatican said, a week after the 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized in Rome.
Following a slight improvement in his condition, Francis received the Eucharist and continued his work activities, according to a Vatican statement on Thursday. A spokesperson confirmed that he was given oxygen to assist his breathing, but his heart remains stable, and he has no fever.
Francis was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on February 14, initially undergoing tests for a respiratory tract infection. A later CT scan confirmed pneumonia in both lungs.
The pope, who hails from Argentina, has a history of respiratory issues. As a young man, he suffered a severe bout of pneumonia that led to the partial removal of one lung. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove part of his colon due to diverticulitis, and last year, he was hospitalized with bronchitis. In recent months, he has also experienced two falls, injuring his chin and arm.
Friday marks a week since his admission, making this the third-longest hospital stay of his papacy. Doctors have advised complete rest, and his public events remain canceled until at least Saturday.
On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Francis for 20 minutes. “We joked as always. He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour,” she said in a statement.
