By Joshua McElwee
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis had a peaceful night and continues to be in a stable condition as he battles double pneumonia during his 18th day in the hospital, as announced by the Vatican on Monday. The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church no longer requires mechanical ventilation to assist his breathing and has been free of fever, according to the most recent medical update from the Vatican on Sunday evening.
In a brief statement issued on Monday morning, the Vatican confirmed that “The pope had a restful night,” without providing further details. A comprehensive medical update on the pope’s health is anticipated later on Monday.
Francis was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 due to severe respiratory issues that quickly escalated into double pneumonia – a grave infection affecting both lungs, causing inflammation and scarring that impairs breathing.
The updates from the Vatican regarding the pope’s health have shown a more positive outlook since Friday when the pope experienced a narrowing of his respiratory passages, similar to an asthma attack, which necessitated aspiration.
On Sunday evening, the Vatican declared that the pope’s condition had stabilized, and the use of “non-invasive, mechanical ventilation” was no longer required. However, doctors remain cautious about the pope’s prognosis due to the complexity of his condition, indicating that he is still at risk.
Over the past two years, Francis has faced multiple health challenges and is vulnerable to lung infections due to a history of pleurisy in his youth and the partial removal of one lung. Since being admitted to the hospital, he has not made any public appearances – marking his longest absence from public view since assuming the papacy in March 2013. His medical team has refrained from specifying the duration of his treatment.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Cristina Carlevaro and Ros Russell)
