Pope Francis stable after night in hospital amid pneumonia battle
Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in the hospital, the Holy See Press Office reported.
Pope Francis, who is currently in the hospital, had a restful night and woke up. The Holy See Press Office stated that his health condition remains stable, without any episodes of respiratory failure.
The next medical update regarding the pope's condition will be released on Saturday.
In Thursday evening's medical bulletin, it was confirmed that the clinical condition of 88-year-old Francis is stable, and he had no episodes of respiratory failure.
The faithful pray for Francis's health
On Thursday evening, at the beginning of a prayer service for the pope's health at St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, who led the service, delivered his greetings; the first since the pope's hospitalization on February 14.
Francis, speaking with a weakened voice and apparent difficulty in Spanish, said: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here."
"May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you," added the pope.
This recording conveyed the suffering of the speaker, according to media reports. "The pope's voice moved the world," noted the Italian newspaper "Il Giornale." Meanwhile, "Il Messaggero" highlighted that it is the voice of a man "fighting vigorously with a severe illness."
The 88-year-old Francis is battling a serious case of pneumonia. He was admitted to the Gemelli clinic on February 14, after experiencing breathing problems for several days.
