Vatican: "Pope Francis' Condition Stable"…Pope "Thanks to the Faithful"

"No Need for a Ventilator, High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Continues"

The Vatican announced on the 2nd (local time) that Pope Francis, who experienced sudden respiratory distress on the 28th of last month, has remained stable for the second consecutive day.

Pope Francis passing by the honor guard in a wheelchair before departing from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

In a press release that afternoon, the Vatican stated, "The Pope's condition was stable today, and he did not have a fever."

The Vatican explained that the Pope did not require non-invasive ventilator treatment, which is performed without surgery or incisions, and only received high-flow oxygen therapy.

However, they added, "Considering the complex clinical condition, the prognosis remains cautious."

According to the Associated Press and the British daily The Telegraph, the Pope, who has been hospitalized since the 14th of last month due to a respiratory illness, met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Edgar Pe?a Parra, the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, at the hospital that morning. Afterwards, he prayed in his private chapel and attended Mass.

The Pope did not appear before the crowd gathered in front of the hospital. He issued a written message through the Vatican, expressing gratitude to the faithful who are praying for him.

The Pope said, "I want to thank you for your prayers. I feel all your affection and closeness, as if I am 'embraced' and supported by all the people of God."

He added, "I feel in my heart the 'blessing' hidden in weakness because it is at this very moment that we learn to trust the Lord more. At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and soul the condition of many who are sick and suffering."

The Pope also mentioned regions engulfed in war, including Ukraine, and asked for continued prayers for world peace.

He said, "From here, war seems even more absurd. Let us pray for the suffering in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and Kivu."

The Pope has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since the 14th of last month due to a respiratory illness caused by polymicrobial infection.

His condition has continued to worsen, with pneumonia confirmed in both lungs, making this his longest hospitalization since his inauguration in March 2013. This marks the 17th day of his hospitalization.

Since the 26th of last month, the Vatican has stopped using the term "critical" and has reported gradual improvement in the Pope's health, but signs of deterioration appeared around 2 p.m. on the 28th of last month.

At that time, the Pope experienced bronchospasm (a narrowing of the airways) accompanied by vomiting and temporary respiratory distress. With non-invasive ventilator treatment and high-flow oxygen supply, his condition improved again.

The previous afternoon, the Vatican announced that the Pope had no fever and that his white blood cell and cardiovascular levels remained within normal ranges.

At 88 years old this year, Pope Francis is the oldest reigning pope since Leo XIII, who died at the age of 93 in 1903.

He underwent surgery to remove part of his lung due to pleurisy when he was young and has frequently suffered from bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses during winter.

Night prayer meetings for the Pope's recovery continue not only at St. Peter's Basilica but also throughout Italy and in several cities overseas.