ROME – The Vatican said Wednesday they had a peaceful night at a hospital in Rome. Both lungs developed pneumonia. The diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday will be a worrying direction for all 88-year-olds, but it is particularly concerning for Catholic Church leaders who have long struggled with respiratory problems.
Pope Francis rested well and woke up to eat breakfast on Wednesday morning, the Vatican said. Sources at the facility said the Pope had not suffered from heart disease and was breathing himself without the help of the respiratory system. They said he sometimes sat in an armchair and was understood to be under strict orders from his medical team to rest.
The Vatican said the Pope was in stable condition later Wednesday, with blood tests showing slight improvements, particularly in inflammation markers.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Francis Wednesday afternoon, and the two spoke personally for 20 minutes, the Vatican said. Close Aides brings him documentary for reviews and signing.
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Another source told CBS News that Francis has made many calls, and he has also received notes from wealthy people.
People gather outside the Gemeri Hospital in Rome to show their support. The Vatican also shared a selection of photos on Wednesday showing some pictures and notes of support children being treated in Gemeri’s Department of Pediatric Oncology sent to the Pope .
The Pope has always held a very busy schedule, and after he appeared to be out of breath at some of his public events at the beginning of the month before being hospitalized for the first one on Friday Bronchitis diagnosis.
A new diagnosis of pneumonia in both his lungs was confirmed on Tuesday, and the Vatican said the bishop was a multi-microbial infection in the respiratory system, and the test results “show a complex clinical picture that requires the right hospital.” I came the day after that and stayed there. “
The Vatican said Tuesday that pneumonia requires additional medication. The illness was discovered after Francis underwent a CT scan of his chest Tuesday afternoon, according to the Vatican.
Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapan
The Vatican said Francis was grateful from his supporters for the “closeness he feels in this moment” and he asked people to pray for him.
This is the Pope’s fourth hospitalization since he took over as leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013. He received something important. Abdominal surgery In 2021, there was another procedure to repair scar tissue and abdominal hernia in 2023. He was temporarily hospitalized to treat pneumonia. The beginning of the year.
As a young man in his native Argentina, Francis removed one part of his lung following a pulmonary infection, making him vulnerable to respiratory illness.
The Vatican announced that it would cancel the audience that Francis will have on Saturday and would not celebrate Sunday’s Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral.
The Pope’s continued hospitalization comes more than two weeks before the annual Christian compliance begins. The 40-day rental period begins on Ash Wednesday, and this year marks March 5th.
Just before Easter last year, Francis refused to attend the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome to save his health, but the Pope later led tens of thousands of worshipers Easter celebration.