Inflammation: Vatican: Pope no longer in direct danger

According to the treating doctors, Pope Francis is no longer in direct danger after more than three weeks in the hospital. This emerges from a medical bulletin that the Vatican published in the evening. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church must remain in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome because of its pneumonia. Francis is in office for exactly twelve years this Thursday.

In the message, the doctors have been satisfied with the development of the past few days. Literally it says: “The clinical condition of the Holy Father is still stable. The improvements recorded in the past few days have continued to strengthen themselves.” The better blood values ​​were expressly mentioned. Francis also addresses the medication used in therapy.

Continue in clinic – no appointment for discharge

However, the doctors from the renowned university clinic remained careful. Because of the complex clinical picture, it remains necessary to “continue the pharmacological therapy in a hospital for a few days”. The doctors did not give a possible date for discharge. From the perspective of doctors, pneumonia at such a old age is considered dangerous.

Most recently, Francis had two acute seizures of shortness of breath more than a week ago. That is why he was repeatedly ventilated mechanically – over a mask on the mouth and nose. In the evening, it was still necessary that this was still necessary at night. In addition, the native of Argentine always received additional oxygen from a hose in the nose. According to official information, he was never artificially ventilated.

For a few days now, the Holy Stuhl reported a gradual, slight improvement. Francis also had no fever. In the meantime, the concerns about the head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide were very great – especially, as well as an initial failure of the kidneys. But this problem disappeared again.

The Pope has not shown himself to the public since he was entered – so in the meantime has not been for three and a half weeks. However, he thanked an audio message for the many prayers. His voice looked very weak. In the meantime, a rosary is prayed for the Pontifex every day on St. Peter’s Square. General requests are made from many regions of the world.

Large program next month around Easter

At the age of 88, Francis is now the second oldest Pope in history. This Thursday it was twelve years ago that he was the successor to the German Pontifex Benedict XVI. was chosen as the head of the church. He will have to spend the day in the hospital. He also had to drop out the Sunday prayer in front of tens of thousands of believers on St. Peter’s Square.

Next month, the big celebrations for Easter are pending in the Vatican. Usually the Pope also speaks the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“The City and the Earth”) from the balcony of Peter’s cathedral on Easter Sunday. This is followed by tens of thousands on St. Peter’s Square. The blessing of cameras is also transferred worldwide. In addition, 2025 is still a holy year for the Catholics.