Pope Francis, hospitalized for almost three weeks while fighting double pneumonia, is in a stable condition and doing physical therapy, the Vatican said on Thursday (6).
The 88 -year -old pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital of Rome on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that required continuous evolution treatment.
On Wednesday (5), the Holy See informed that the condition of Francis remained stable that day, allowing him to work and increase respiratory physiotherapy.
The Vatican stressed that, for the first time since his hospital stay, the Pope, who has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain, began to do physical therapy to help with mobility.
Thursday’s statement stated that physiotherapy continued, as did other pontiff treatments.
The next update is expected for the night of Thursday (6), local time.
The tone of the updates of the Holy See has been more optimistic in recent days, after Monday (3).
The Pope has not had any crisis since then, reported the Vatican. However, doctors reiterated that the, which means he was not yet out of danger.
Monday’s episodes required Francis to wear noninvasive mechanical ventilation, which involves putting a mask over the face to push the air into the lungs.
The leader of the Catholic Church is now only receiving ventilation at night, the Vatican said. During the day, it receives oxygen through a small hose under the nose.
Francisco has not been seen in public since he entered the hospital, his longest absence since his papacy began 12 years ago. Doctors did not say how long the treatment can last.
Known for, the pontiff continued to work at the hospital. This Thursday, the Vatican announced two nominations of bishops who would have demanded their approval.
The Pope has undergone several episodes of health problems in the last two years and is prone to pulmonary infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of a removed lung.
What can inflate them and leave them with scars, making it difficult to breathe.
