Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation at night to assist his breathing, and his doctors believe his health will continue to improve, the Vatican said in a statement.
Francis has been receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks for a severe respiratory infection.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are confirmed to be improving,” the Vatican’s latest medical update stated.
During his hospital stay, the pope had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight, which involved a mask to assist airflow into his lungs. However, the statement confirmed that this support has now been “suspended.” He is still receiving oxygen through a small nasal tube.
Doctors believe his infection is under control, as the Vatican press office reported that he has no fever and his blood tests are normal.
Although Francis has been described as stable or improving for the past two weeks, the Vatican has not provided a timeline for his discharge, noting that his recovery remains gradual.
The pope’s history of lung issues stems from pleurisy in his youth, which led to the partial removal of one lung.
In addition to respiratory physiotherapy, he has been undergoing physical therapy to aid mobility, as he has relied on a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.
Medical experts not involved in his treatment suggest his recovery could be prolonged due to his age and existing health conditions.
This hospitalisation marks the longest period Francis has been absent from the public eye since becoming pope in 2013.
On Sunday, the Vatican released the first image of Francis in the hospital, showing him praying in a chapel.
