Pope Francis' health shows improvement as 'guarded' prognosis is lifted
Pope Francis had a restful night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said Tuesday, following news that the 88-year-old pontiff has been responding well to treatment and is no longer in immediate danger of death in his weekslong battle with double pneumonia.
Francis has been in Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment. He remains stable and has shown improvements in recent days.
The Vatican said Monday that the pope's doctors had decided to lift an earlier "guarded" prognosis, meaning the pontiff was no longer in immediate danger.
"The improvements recorded in previous days have further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical assessments, as well as a good response to his drug treatments," it said.
But while doctors lifted the "guarded" prognosis, the Vatican said on Monday that it expects the pope "to continue medical drug treatment in a hospital setting for further days."
It's unknown when he will be discharged from the hospital.
Francis has not been seen since entering the hospital, the longest absence during his time as pope. Last week, he recorded a brief audio message that was played during a nightly prayer service for the pope in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers in the Square for my health," he said in his native Spanish, pausing between words to take in deep breaths. "May God bless you."
Contributing: Reuters