The Vatican announced on the evening of the 5th (local time) that Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for pneumonia for 20 days, showed a stable condition for the second consecutive day.
The Vatican stated that "the Pope remained stable throughout the day today, and no new respiratory crises occurred."
The Pope has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since the 14th of last month due to a respiratory illness. This is the longest hospitalization since his enthronement. After showing signs of recovery over the past 2 to 3 days, he has repeatedly experienced sudden breathing difficulties.
Although he showed a stable condition for the second day, the medical staff remain cautious about the Pope's health recovery.
During the day, the Pope received high-flow oxygen therapy. At night, as on the previous day, he is expected to wear non-invasive mechanical ventilation and go to bed. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is a treatment method that supplies air or oxygen by wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth without surgery or incisions.
The Vatican explained, "The Pope continued his efforts to recover his health by further strengthening respiratory rehabilitation therapy and active exercise rehabilitation today." It was reported that the Pope mainly spent time sitting in a chair and called Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of the Holy Family Parish in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, to check on the local situation. The Vatican also stated that he resumed some work from his hospital bed. The last time the Pope was mentioned to have worked from his bed was on the 27th of last month.
Meanwhile, this day marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in Catholicism. The Ash Wednesday liturgy is traditionally presided over by the Pope. However, the liturgy held on the Aventine Hill in Rome on this day was presided over by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis on behalf of the Pope. The Pope participated in the ceremony from a special room prepared for him on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital.
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