Pope Francis Shows Slight Improvement but Remains in Critical Condition, Vatican Says
Pope Francis remains in critical condition as he battles pneumonia in both lungs at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. However, the Vatican reported slight improvements in his laboratory tests on Monday, noting that he has resumed some work, including making a phone call to a parish in Gaza City.
Vatican’s Update: A Slightly More Hopeful Outlook
The Vatican’s latest evening bulletin was more optimistic than in previous days. While the 88-year-old pontiff remains fragile due to his pre-existing lung disease and age, doctors reported no new respiratory crises since Saturday. He continues to receive supplemental oxygen, though at a slightly reduced flow and concentration. Additionally, while slight kidney insufficiency was detected on Sunday, it is not currently causing alarm.
Despite his condition, Pope Francis was reported to be in good spirits, free of pain, and not receiving artificial nutrition. In the morning, he received the Eucharist and later resumed light work, including reading and signing documents.
A Call to Gaza Amid His Own Struggles
One of the pope’s first actions upon resuming work was to reach out to the Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentine priest leading the Catholic community in Gaza. For over a year, Francis has been in daily contact with the priest via video calls, checking in on the parish, which has provided shelter for Palestinians during the ongoing war.
Romanelli had previously reported hearing from Francis soon after he was hospitalized but not since. The Vatican said Francis had watched a video sent by Romanelli and called to personally thank him, showing his continued concern for the suffering in Gaza despite his own health crisis.
Prayers for the Pope in St. Peter’s Square
As concern for Pope Francis grew, the Vatican’s No. 2 official, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, led a somber nighttime Rosary prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“For 2,000 years, the Christian people have prayed for the pope when he was in danger or sick,” Parolin told the rain-soaked crowd. Standing on the same stage where Francis usually presides, he acknowledged the global chorus of prayers for the pope’s recovery.
“Starting this evening, we want to unite ourselves publicly to this prayer here, in his house,” Parolin said, asking for a swift recovery for Francis “in this moment of illness and trial.”
Concern at Gemelli Hospital
Inside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized since February 14, the atmosphere remained somber. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori led an emotional, standing-room-only Mass in the hospital’s chapel, named after Pope John Paul II, who was also treated there multiple times.
Among the estimated 200 attendees were doctors in white coats and nurses in surgical scrubs. Some knelt in prayer, visibly moved by the pope’s condition.
“We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope. Let’s hope he makes it,” said Filomena Ferraro, a visitor at the hospital. “We are joining him with our prayers, but what else can we do?”
Doctors Warn of Sepsis Risk
Doctors have cautioned that the primary danger for Pope Francis is sepsis, a life-threatening infection that can arise as a complication of pneumonia. However, the Vatican has not indicated any signs of sepsis in its medical updates so far.
At 10 days, this hospitalization marks the longest of Francis’ papacy, surpassing his 2021 stay when he spent 10 days in the same hospital after undergoing colon surgery.
As the world watches and prays, Pope Francis remains under close medical supervision, with his condition still delicate but showing small signs of progress.
