Pope Francis, who is in hospital with pneumonia and “mild” kidney failure, remains in a critical condition although there was a “slight improvement” on Monday, the Vatican said.
The pontiff, 88, has not had any further asthma-style attacks and “some laboratory tests have improved”, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday evening.
The “mild renal insufficiency” diagnosed on Sunday “is not of concern”, while oxygen therapy continues. However, his prognosis remained guarded.
Francis, who has been eating normally, received a video on Monday from the Holy Family church in Gaza and then called the parish, a daily routine maintained since October 9th 2023.
He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14th and was subsequently diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection, pneumonia in both lungs and a mild renal insufficiency.
A statement that evening said the pope was also receiving “high-flow oxygen therapy” through a nasal cannula, but continued to remain “vigilant and well orientated”.
The world’s press has gathered at St Peter’s Square, where large electric billboards with a black background are publicising prayers for the pope’s health that was to be held on Monday night.
Francis had been showing signs of improvement until Saturday, when he was given supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions for a low platelet count after a prolonged asthma-style attack.
On Friday, doctors said the pope was not “not yet out of danger” and that he was expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.
They said the main threat facing Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.
Vigils have been held outside the Gemelli, which has long been the preferred hospital for pontiffs. Well-wishers have also gathered in St Peter’s Square.
The pope has maintained a punishing work schedule, despite increasing health issues, and especially because it is the Catholic jubilee year. Last September, he carried out a mammoth 12-day tour to the Asia Pacific, one of the few places in the world where the Catholic church is growing in terms of baptised faithful and religious vocations. – Guardian
