Pope Francis's health remains stable as he continues to fight pneumonia.
The Vatican offers updates regarding the pope's health as worries about his well-being increase.
Pope Francis's health has been described as stable yet intricate, as he continues his recovery from pneumonia while being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted on February 14 and has faced several respiratory issues since his arrival.
On Thursday, Francis released an audio message to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, which marked the first instance his voice has been heard publicly since his hospitalization.
In the message, recorded earlier that day, he conveyed his appreciation for the prayers and support regarding his health, although his voice appeared weak and his breathing was noticeably strained.
He spoke in Spanish, leading to questions from observers concerning his proficiency in Italian, the customary language for Vatican communications.
A Vatican spokesperson clarified that Francis opted for Spanish to connect with a wider audience.
On Friday, the Vatican press office released a statement indicating that while the pope's condition remained stable, it is regarded as 'complex', suggesting a cautious prognosis.
Reports pointed out that Francis has engaged in light work, physiotherapy, and prayer, including time in a small chapel within the hospital.
Currently, he alternates between using an oxygen mask at night and a nasal cannula providing high-flow oxygen during the daytime.
Pilgrims in St. Peter's Square responded warmly to his audio message, viewing it as a hopeful indication of his strength, even while recognizing the difficulties he confronts.
The Vatican has been actively managing increasing public conjecture about the pope's health status.
To promote transparency, updates on Francis's sleep patterns are being regularly provided, followed by a detailed medical bulletin each evening.
However, the latest bulletin announced that due to the stability of his clinical condition, no further updates would be released on Friday, with the next anticipated on Saturday.
A brief update on Friday morning reported that the pope had a restful night and arose shortly after 8:00 AM local time.
Significantly, he has missed the last three Sunday Angelus prayers, a ceremony in which he usually addresses the public from the Gemelli balcony.
This current health situation marks Pope Francis's longest hospitalization, following a series of medical setbacks in recent years.
Noteworthy incidents include colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023. More recently, he encountered a serious respiratory episode on February 22 and experienced acute respiratory failure related to bronchial complications on March 3.
The pontiff's health has often prompted speculation, leading to discussions regarding the possibility of his resignation, a fate that affected his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted on February 14 and has faced several respiratory issues since his arrival.
On Thursday, Francis released an audio message to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, which marked the first instance his voice has been heard publicly since his hospitalization.
In the message, recorded earlier that day, he conveyed his appreciation for the prayers and support regarding his health, although his voice appeared weak and his breathing was noticeably strained.
He spoke in Spanish, leading to questions from observers concerning his proficiency in Italian, the customary language for Vatican communications.
A Vatican spokesperson clarified that Francis opted for Spanish to connect with a wider audience.
On Friday, the Vatican press office released a statement indicating that while the pope's condition remained stable, it is regarded as 'complex', suggesting a cautious prognosis.
Reports pointed out that Francis has engaged in light work, physiotherapy, and prayer, including time in a small chapel within the hospital.
Currently, he alternates between using an oxygen mask at night and a nasal cannula providing high-flow oxygen during the daytime.
Pilgrims in St. Peter's Square responded warmly to his audio message, viewing it as a hopeful indication of his strength, even while recognizing the difficulties he confronts.
The Vatican has been actively managing increasing public conjecture about the pope's health status.
To promote transparency, updates on Francis's sleep patterns are being regularly provided, followed by a detailed medical bulletin each evening.
However, the latest bulletin announced that due to the stability of his clinical condition, no further updates would be released on Friday, with the next anticipated on Saturday.
A brief update on Friday morning reported that the pope had a restful night and arose shortly after 8:00 AM local time.
Significantly, he has missed the last three Sunday Angelus prayers, a ceremony in which he usually addresses the public from the Gemelli balcony.
This current health situation marks Pope Francis's longest hospitalization, following a series of medical setbacks in recent years.
Noteworthy incidents include colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023. More recently, he encountered a serious respiratory episode on February 22 and experienced acute respiratory failure related to bronchial complications on March 3.
The pontiff's health has often prompted speculation, leading to discussions regarding the possibility of his resignation, a fate that affected his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013.
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