Rome – Pope Francis participated remotely in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat on Tuesday, following positive updates from his medical team. His doctors have reported that he is no longer in imminent danger from the respiratory infection that has kept him hospitalized for nearly a month. This marks his longest and most serious health crisis in his 12-year papacy.
The 88-year-old pope, however, is not yet fully recovered. While his doctors remain cautious, they have decided to extend his hospitalization for additional treatment and rehabilitation.
Dr. Carmelo D’Asero, an infectious disease specialist and geriatric expert, confirmed that the pope is making slow but steady progress. However, Dr. D’Asero emphasized that it is still uncertain when Pope Francis will return to the Vatican, or whether he will need long-term oxygen support.
“We must keep in mind that he has been hospitalized for nearly a month,” Dr. D’Asero said, though he is not directly involved in the pope’s care. He also noted that the arrival of warmer weather in Rome should aid Francis’ recovery, as his bronchitis tends to worsen during the colder months.
“The transition to a warmer season is certainly beneficial for those suffering from respiratory issues,” Dr. D’Asero explained. “I believe he will return to his duties, but likely with a lighter schedule and ongoing oxygen therapy.”
The pope, who suffers from chronic lung disease, continues to use supplemental oxygen throughout the day and wears a ventilation mask at night. On Tuesday, he resumed physical and respiratory therapy and continued to follow the weeklong spiritual retreat via videoconference for a third consecutive day.
Sister Maria Letizia Salazar, a nun who prayed for the pope outside Gemelli Hospital, expressed her joy upon hearing the encouraging news. “It really makes me happy because we were sad when it seemed like he wasn’t recovering,” she said. “But now that I’ve heard this news, I am very happy.”
This week is significant for Pope Francis, marking two important anniversaries: the 67th anniversary of his entry into the Jesuit order on Tuesday and the 12th anniversary of his election as pope on Thursday.
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