Pope’s Condition Still Critical, Says Vatican

The Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis, who has been in critical condition with pneumonia since being hospitalized on February 14, had a restful night and is currently resting.

“The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting”, it said in a brief statement as Francis, 88, entered his 11th day at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, making this the longest hospitalisation of his papacy.

Ten days after his hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, Rome, the condition of Pope Francis remains critical.

The Holy See Press Office, Vatican City, Rome, made this known in its medical update on Pope Francis’ condition on Sunday evening.

Though critical, the statement pointed out that the Catholic pontiff had not experienced any further respiratory crisis adding that Pope Francis remains alert and well-oriented.

On Sunday, in particular, Pope Francis participated in the Holy Mass, in an apartment on the tenth floor of the hospital, together with those who have been taking care of him since his admission.

Pope Francis was on February 14 admitted to the Gemelli Hospital, Rome, due to worsening bronchitis, with the first diagnostic tests showing that he had a respiratory tract infection.

Francis, 88 years old, reported having breathing difficulties during his meetings on Friday before being taken to hospital.

AFP