Pope’s Health Stabilizes, But Risks Persist in Hospital Stay/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Francis remains in Rome’s Gemelli hospital as he recovers from double pneumonia, while the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations proceed without him. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has chronic lung disease, continues to undergo respiratory and physical therapy. Though his condition has stabilized, doctors warn of potential secondary infections due to his prolonged hospital stay. Cardinal Michael Czerny will lead Sunday’s Holy Year Mass, a role originally scheduled for Francis.
Pope Francis’ Hospital Stay: Quick Look
- Pope’s Condition & Treatment
- Francis remains hospitalized for a fourth week with double pneumonia.
- Receives high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and a ventilation mask at night.
- Underwent bronchoscopies earlier this week to clear mucus from his lungs.
- Concerns from Medical Experts
- Doctors note lack of improvement after three weeks is concerning.
- Risk of secondary infections increases the longer he remains hospitalized.
- Recovery expected to be slow and fragile.
- Vatican Continues Holy Year Events
- Cardinal Czerny leads Mass for church volunteers in Francis’ absence.
- Francis sends a message supporting pro-life initiatives and elder care.
- Vatican’s daily operations continue despite the pope’s absence.
- Pope’s Spiritual Engagement
- Francis prayed in the hospital chapel for 20 minutes Friday.
- Continues reviewing Vatican affairs while undergoing therapy.
Deep Look: Pope Francis’ Recovery and Vatican’s Adjustments
Pope Francis’ Health Stabilizes, But Concerns Remain
His condition has stabilized, but his recovery remains delicate:
- He continues to receive respiratory and physical therapy.
- Uses high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and a noninvasive ventilation mask at night.
- Required bronchoscopies to remove mucus buildup in his lungs.
Medical experts not involved in his treatment have raised concerns about his slow recovery.
Dr. Andrew Chadwick, a respiratory specialist at Oxford University, noted:
“The longer a patient remains in the hospital, the greater the risk of secondary infections.”
Dr. Jeffrey Millstein of the University of Pennsylvania acknowledged that while a slow recovery isn’t surprising, Francis remains in a precarious condition.
“I would be looking for no new setbacks,” Millstein said. “If he continues making incremental progress, that would be encouraging.”
Vatican Carries On Without Pope Francis
Despite the pope’s absence, the Vatican’s schedule remains active, particularly in the lead-up to Holy Year celebrations.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin led Mass for a pro-life group in St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Cardinal Michael Czerny presided over the Rosary prayers for Francis on Saturday.
- Czerny will also lead Sunday’s Holy Year Mass for church volunteers—an event initially scheduled for Francis.
In a message to the Movement for Life, the pope urged the faithful to advocate for the dignity of all life, including the unborn, elderly, and terminally ill.
Francis wrote: “Protecting life means defending the dignity of every person, from conception to natural death.”
Pope Remains Engaged Spiritually & Administratively
Despite being sidelined for the longest period of his papacy, Francis continues to engage in Vatican affairs.
- He prayed for 20 minutes in the hospital chapel on Friday.
- Reviewed church matters between therapy sessions.
- Sends messages to Catholic groups worldwide as he recovers.
What’s Next?
- Medical Update Expected: The Vatican will likely provide more health updates in the coming days.
- Continued Holy Year Preparations: The Vatican gears up for more major events, possibly without Francis.
- Pope’s Future Workload: If his recovery remains slow, he may delegate more responsibilities to Vatican officials.
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