Pope Francis is now on his 14th day at the Gemelli, but there is still not a release date planned.
This morning's brief statement reported that the Holy Father "slept well during the night and is now resting."
It added that after breakfast, the Pope continued his treatment while sitting in his armchair. He has been informed of the many initiatives to pray for him, and he remains in good spirits.
Since his prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis last Saturday, the 88-year-old pontiff is still on oxygen, but his condition is stable.
The Wednesday evening report stated:
The Holy Father's condition has shown a slight further improvement over the past 24 hours. The mild kidney insufficiency observed in recent days has subsided. A chest CT scan carried out last night showed a normal progression of the lung inflammation. Blood tests conducted today confirmed the improvement seen yesterday.
The Holy Father remains on high-flow oxygen therapy but has not experienced any asthma-like respiratory episodes today. Respiratory physiotherapy is continuing. Despite the slight improvement, his prognosis remains guarded.
This morning, the Holy Father received the Eucharist, and in the afternoon, he resumed his work.
Still referring to a “guarded” prognosis, the Holy See no longer spoke on Wednesday of a “critical” state of health, as was the case in previous days. According to a Vatican source, however, the absence of this term should not be seen as synonymous with recovery and must be confirmed in the coming days.
No date for release from hospital has been given at this time. At a press conference last Friday, the medical staff had assured that the Pope would remain at Gemelli “at least for the whole of next week.”
The Jubilee Audience scheduled for Saturday has been canceled. The details of the Angelus, the prayer that the Pope traditionally recites on Sundays with the faithful, are not yet known. Since his arrival at Gemelli, the Argentine pontiff has not appeared in public, but the texts of the meditations he has prepared are being published.
Tonight's Rosary
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that the Pope had convened a consistory dedicated to two causes for canonization, on a date yet to be determined. This announcement raised questions, since it was during such an assembly of cardinals that Benedict XVI had announced his resignation in 2013. Many observers, however, see it as a sign that he will be getting back to work.
In Rome, prayers for the Pope continue. In St. Peter's Square, a rosary is recited every evening. The cardinal vicar of Rome, Baldassare Reina, the Pope's right-hand man for the diocese, will lead this evening's vigil.
Yesterday, the cardinal vicar celebrated a Mass for the Pope's intentions in the chapel of Gemelli Hospital.
Follow the updates on the Pope's health here.
