Pope Struggles to Speak Due to Oxygen Therapy Aftereffects: "Learning to Use My Voice Again"

"High-flow oxygen dries everything out"
Condition improving... Discharge date remains uncertain

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a month due to pneumonia, is reportedly experiencing difficulty speaking as a side effect of high-flow oxygen therapy.

Major foreign media outlets on the 21st (local time) quoted Cardinal V?ctor Manuel Fern?ndez, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican, saying, "The Pope is enduring well but has to relearn how to speak," adding that high-flow oxygen "dries everything out."

The 88-year-old Pope has been receiving treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since the 14th of last month due to pneumonia. This marks his longest hospitalization since his enthronement.

So far, the Pope has released only one voice message during this period. In the message released on the 6th, his voice was broken and breathless, making it difficult to understand.

Pope is receiving inpatient treatment at Rome Gemelli Hospital
[Image source=Provided by Vatican Media]

However, Cardinal Fern?ndez stated, "The Pope is gradually regaining strength, and his overall physical condition is the same as before."

According to the Vatican, the Pope's breathing and mobility have somewhat improved, and he is maintaining a stable condition. Furthermore, since the 17th, his condition has improved enough that he no longer needs non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which helps breathing by pushing air into the lungs through a mask covering the nose and mouth overnight.

Cardinal Fern?ndez also mentioned that while the Pope might return by Easter on April 20, it is difficult to be certain. He said, "The medical staff wants to be sure that the Pope is fully recovered," and did not officially disclose a specific discharge date.

Regarding the possibility of the Pope voluntarily resigning, he said, "I do not think so."