Hospitalised Pope Francis no longer needs breathing ventilator, Vatican says

The Vatican has stated that Pope Francis does not currently require ventilator assistance and his condition is stable in the Roman hospital, indicating that his recovery from bilateral pneumonia is progressing well. This is a positive sign for the pontiff's health.

The 88-year-old Pope continued to receive high-flow supplemental oxygen on Sunday after experiencing a cough on Friday, which raised concerns about a new lung infection. Doctors at Gemelli Hospital stated on Sunday that Francis' condition remained stable, but reiterated the complexity of his overall situation and maintained a cautious prognosis, meaning he is not yet out of danger. The medical team is closely monitoring his progress.

The Pope has been hospitalized since February 14. On Sunday, he rested and prayed in his private chapel and attended Mass after being visited in the morning by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his Chief of Staff Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra. While the content of their conversations is unknown, Francis meets with them at least once a week when in the Vatican. These meetings are crucial for the functioning of the Vatican.

The Pope again canceled his weekly midday blessing to avoid a brief public appearance at the hospital. Instead, the Vatican distributed a statement written by the Pope, in which he thanked the doctors for their care and supporters for their prayers, and again prayed for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere. "From here, the war seems even more absurd," Francis said in the message he drafted in recent days. His thoughts are with those suffering from conflict.

Francis stated that he is regarding his hospitalization as an experience of profound solidarity with the sick and suffering people everywhere. "From the bottom of my heart, I feel the 'blessing' hidden in fragility, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn to trust the Lord more," the Pope said in the statement. "At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and soul the condition of so many sick and suffering people." This reflects his deep empathy and spiritual perspective.

It is reported that the Pope had been working to the point of exhaustion, continuing to lead the Vatican during his hospitalization, and met with Cardinal Parolin and his deputy at Gemelli Hospital on February 24. There are many indications that the Pope's condition is improving, especially after Friday's respiratory crisis, when he inhaled vomit due to coughing, increasing the possibility of a new infection. Doctors suctioned out the vomit and placed him on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which involves pumping oxygen into the lungs through a mask. This intervention was crucial for his recovery.

He used a ventilator on Saturday and alternated with supplemental oxygen, but by Sunday was no longer needed. Doctors also reported that he had no fever or elevated white blood cell levels, indicating that his body was fighting off new infections. Doctors said they needed 24 to 48 hours after Friday's coughing incident to determine if it had any negative impact on Francis' overall condition. Constant monitoring is essential for managing his health.

The Pope, who had part of a lung removed when he was younger, suffers from lung disease and was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after bronchitis turned into bilateral complex pneumonia. The Pope's hospitalization comes as the Vatican is celebrating the Holy Year, attracting pilgrims from all over the world to Rome. Many have added a pilgrimage destination to their itinerary so that they can pray for Francis at Gemelli Hospital, which is about a 20-minute drive from the Vatican. This shows the global concern for his well-being.

Father Riccardo Fumagalli accompanied a group of young people from Milan to Rome for the Jubilee, who would have attended Francis' Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday if the Pope had been conducting prayers as usual. Instead, the group went to the hospital. "We thought it was a good thing to come here to express our closeness, especially these teenagers, to be close to the Holy Father, to pray for him, for his illness at this moment," said Father Fumagalli. Their presence shows support and solidarity.

Antonino Cacas, a cancer patient who also arrived at the hospital from Milan on Sunday for treatment, said he will undergo surgery in the coming days and is counting on Francis' prayers. "I am happy that the Pope is giving me help," he said. "I am on the ninth floor, he is on the tenth floor. I hope to see him and meet him." He is hopeful for the Pope's blessing and support during his treatment.