After almost 3 weeks in hospital, still no hint on when Pope Francis can return to Vatican
Pope Francis spent Thursday alternating between working and resting after a quiet night at Rome's Gemelli hospital, his home away from the Vatican for almost three weeks while combating double pneumonia.
"The Holy Father's clinical condition has remained stable compared to previous days," the Vatican said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. "He has not experienced any episodes of respiratory insufficiency today."
The pope was aided by "non-invasive mechanical ventilation" − usually a mask attached to an oxygen hose − overnight and was switched to a nasal oxygen tube when he woke up, the statement said.
"The prognosis remains reserved," the statement said, adding that "given the stability of his clinical condition" the next update won't be issued until Saturday. Updates had been provided twice daily.
A day earlier, Francis marked Ash Wednesday by blessing ashes and placing a call from his hospital room to a Gaza parish. Catholics around the world celebrated the first day of Lent by praying for the pontiff's recovery from respiratory ailments that have gripped him since early February.
Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after battling bronchitis for more than a week. He had been struggling to speak and breathe during public appearances and was later diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and mild renal insufficiency, both of which have recently appeared to be under control, the Vatican says.