The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis’s health is stable, with a recent chest X-ray confirming improvements seen in the past few days.
In a medical update on Wednesday, the Vatican said, “The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stationary (stable), within the complexity of the general picture. The chest X-ray carried out yesterday confirmed radiologically the improvements registered in previous days.”
The 88-year-old pope has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, battling pneumonia. Reports earlier suggested that he was in critical condition, but his health has gradually improved over the past week.
Pope Francis, who marks 12 years as head of the Catholic Church on Thursday, continues to receive high-flow oxygen during the day through a nasal cannula and uses an oxygen mask at night while he sleeps, according to the Vatican.
Despite his hospitalisation, the pope has remained active in spiritual exercises. On Wednesday morning, he joined prayers and meditations at the Vatican via video link, though he was not seen on screen. He spent the rest of the day in prayer, rest, and physiotherapy.
Earlier this week, the Vatican stated that Pope Francis was out of immediate danger, raising hopes that he may soon be discharged.
The pope’s ongoing health struggles have drawn concern from Catholics worldwide, as he continues to carry out his spiritual duties despite his condition.
More updates on Pope Francis’s recovery are expected in the coming days.
