Pope Francis remains in critical condition with double pneumonia but has taken incremental steps toward normalcy, including placing a call to a parish in Gaza City.
The Vatican says the 88-year-old pontiff, who has been in a Roman hospital since Feb. 14, was in generally good spirits Monday, is not experiencing any pain and has resumed light duties like reading and signing documents.
He’s also receiving no artificial nutrition and is requiring less supplemental oxygen than he was receiving over the weekend.
The pope’s condition had deteriorated in recent days as he battled the severe respiratory infection that’s mostly sidelined him for the last 10 days, requiring high flows of supplemental oxygen and with blood tests showing early signs of kidney insufficiency.
Francis received the Eucharist Monday morning and resumed work in the afternoon, the Vatican said in a statement, which announced evening prayers for the pontiff’s recovery in St. Peter’s Square earlier in the day and encouraged Romans and others around the world to join in.
Bishop Claudio Giuliodori led an emotional mass at Gamelli Hospital where Francis is staying which was attended by more than 200 well-wishers, including several in white doctor’s coats or green surgical scrubs.
“We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope, let’s hope that he makes it. Let us hope,” said Filomena Ferraro, who was at Gemelli to visit a relative Monday. “We are joining him with our prayers but what else can we do?” she said, fighting back tears, AP reported.
Doctors have expressed concern over Francis’ condition due to his advanced age and fragility, particularly due to having had a piece of his lung removed after a bout with pleurisy, an inflammation of the lung lining, at the age of 21.
The pontiff’s medical team has said sepsis is one of the most grave ongoing concerns to his health. However, there have been no references to sepsis in the Vatican’s regular health updates.
Francis’ current hospital stint of 10 days has tied the longest of his papacy. He’s been hospitalized several times in recent years due to falls, influenza and other health concerns, including a 2021 visit to Gamelli when he had 13 inches of his colon removed.
With Post wires
