Pope Francis improves but stays hospitalized, prayers continue
Pope Francis remains in the hospital despite his improving health. For the fourth consecutive Sunday, his reflections on the Angelus prayer will be shared with the public.
Pope Francis has been unable to personally appear at the window of the Gemelli Polyclinic to greet the faithful. Nevertheless, at noon, the text of his reflections prepared for the Angelus prayer will be announced for the fourth Sunday in a row.
The Vatican reported that "gradual, slight improvement" is being observed.
The Pope's state of health
The Vatican reported that the night in the hospital passed peacefully, and the pope is resting. The day before, more optimistic information about the 88-year-old Pope Francis's health was shared. "The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, indicates a good response to the treatment," the statement noted. The pope suffers from bilateral pneumonia but does not have a fever, and his test results are stable.
Despite the improvement, doctors refrain from making further prognoses. Vatican sources emphasize that the danger of further respiratory issues persists. There have been no episodes of respiratory failure for five days, which is a positive sign.
The faithful support the pope
Every day, faithful from Rome, pilgrims from across Italy, and other countries gather at the Gemelli Polyclinic. On Saturday, the crowd included faithful from Slovakia and participants of the Volunteer Jubilee. In the hospital courtyard, at the statue of John Paul II, the faithful leave candles with the image of Pope Francis, rosaries, notes with wishes for recovery, and children's drawings.
