All clear in Rome: Pope Francis is doing better after being admitted to a clinic. He spent the first night well and is even back to work, a spokesman said.
After a night in the hospital, Pope Francis is doing better. This was announced by Matteo Bruni, spokesman for the Holy See. The pontiff, who was hospitalized for a respiratory infection, “recovered well,” said Bruni. His condition is “gradually improving and he is continuing the planned treatment”.
The 86-year-old read some newspapers in the morning and worked. In the private apartment within the clinic, he prayed in a small chapel and received the Eucharist.
Shortly before Easter, many believers worry about the head of the Catholic Church. Francis was surprisingly admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday. In the evening, the Vatican then announced that the Argentine had to be treated for a respiratory infection. The Holy See did not initially predict how long his stay there would last. Bruni had spoken of “a few days” the night before.
It remained unclear what kind of infection plagued the South American. The Ansa news agency reported bronchitis. A report by the “Corriere della Sera” about pneumonia was denied by other media. The Vatican did not comment on this. An infection with the corona virus was ruled out.
Dozens of journalists and camera teams gathered in front of the hospital. Many visitors and patients of the hospital looked up from the forecourt to the tenth floor where the pontiff’s rooms are. The blinds were mostly down.
Heart problems too
It is therefore still unclear whether Francis will be able to celebrate the upcoming Holy Week and Easter Sunday – the most important days in the Catholic church year – in the Vatican. The Pope’s appointments and audiences have already been cancelled. According to the broadcaster Rai, another cardinal will preside over the Mass in St. Peter’s Square next Palm Sunday and celebrate it. It was open whether Francis would then be back in the Vatican.
According to consistent media reports, the Argentine also had problems in his heart, which he felt, among other things, after the general audience on Wednesday. His personal medical supervisor, Massimiliano Strappetti, then recommended going to the hospital. In addition to the diagnosis of the respiratory infection, tests did not yield any worrying findings, as the media said.
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages he has received and is grateful for the closeness and prayer,” said Bruni. A number of Christians wished the Pope a speedy recovery, including US President Joe Biden and Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
In the summer of 2021, Franziskus underwent intestinal surgery at the Gemelli Polyclinic. At that time he spoke the Sunday Angelus prayer from a balcony of the hospital.
Source: Stern
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