ROME — Pope Francis’ recovery from double pneumonia continues to show progress, according to the latest medical bulletin released by the Vatican on Wednesday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to the hospital on July 4th, is no longer in imminent danger of death and his condition remains stable. However, the bulletin also noted that the pope’s overall fragility requires careful monitoring.
The Vatican reported that Pope Francis spent a quiet night and has resumed physical and respiratory therapy, in addition to following the spiritual retreat remotely. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and a noninvasive mechanical mask at night to aid his rest. Due to his ongoing recovery, the pope’s weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled, as the Vatican hierarchy is currently on retreat as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises.
This week holds important milestones for Pope Francis. On Thursday, he will mark the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See has not announced any plans for commemorating this occasion, which is a public holiday in the Vatican. However, no medical bulletin will be issued on this day. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave, which was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned.
While Pope Francis has previously praised Pope Benedict’s humility in stepping down and mentioned the possibility of following in his footsteps, he has recently stated that the papacy is a job for life. This statement reflects his commitment to serving the Catholic Church and its followers.
Another milestone for Pope Francis will be on Friday, when he marks four weeks of hospitalization. The record for the longest hospital stay by a pope is held by St. John Paul II, who spent 55 days in the hospital in 1981 for a minor surgical operation and treatment for a cytomegalovirus infection. Pope Francis is on track to equal the second-longest stay, 28 days, which was recorded by John Paul II in 1994 when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after fracturing his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital.
Since his admission to the hospital, the Vatican has not released any photos or videos of Pope Francis. However, last week the pope recorded an audio message to express his gratitude for the prayers and support he has received. Although his voice sounded weak and breathless, it was clear that he was grateful for the outpouring of love and concern from people around the world.
Pope Francis’ recovery has been closely followed by millions of Catholics and people of all faiths around the world. His humility, compassion, and dedication to serving others have made him a beloved figure, and his illness has only strengthened the admiration and respect for him.
As Pope Francis continues to recover, we are reminded of his words that “the Church is not a museum, but a living body.” His ongoing commitment to his duties and his resilience in the face of illness is a testament to his unwavering faith and dedication to his role as the leader of the Catholic Church.
We join the Vatican in praying for Pope Francis’ full recovery and look forward to seeing him back in good health, continuing to spread his message of love, peace, and unity to the world. May his strength and determination inspire us all to live with compassion and serve others with humility.
