Pope Francis had a “peaceful” 21st night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and “is still resting,” the Vatican said at 8:15 a.m., March 6.
Just before noon today, an informed Vatican source reported that after waking up this morning, Francis “continued with his therapies, including active motor physiotherapy,” as he did yesterday. During the night, the pope received oxygen by non-invasive mechanical ventilation, using a mask that covers his mouth and nose. As scheduled this morning, he again replaced the mask with the nasal tubes to receive high-flow oxygen.
The Vatican said a medical report will be issued as usual this evening, March 6.
The Argentine pope is now in his 21st day in Gemelli Hospital, where he was admitted on Feb. 14 with an infection in his respiratory tract that, soon after, developed into double pneumonia. The pneumonia is “following the normal evolution of a condition of this type under treatment,” according to information from his doctors. But they underline that it can take “a long time” for the antibiotics and other medications to take full effect.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the lead doctor on the medical team caring for the pope, told the press on Feb. 21 that the 88-year-old pope’s heart is strong and that he has the mental faculties of a man of 60. The medical updates repeatedly confirm that the pope does not have a fever, an indication that the infection in his lungs is under control. The respiratory crises he has experienced in the hospital over the past two weeks, however, are evidence that the infection continues to produce a significant amount of mucus; his coughing to try to expel the mucus has triggered the crises.
To continue reading this article, click here.
Gerard O’Connell is America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
With thanks to the America Magazine, Gerard O’Connell, where this article originally appeared.
