Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical ventilation to assist his breathing at night, and his doctors are optimistic about his continued recovery, the Vatican announced.
The 87-year-old pontiff has been receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks due to a severe respiratory infection that required ongoing medical care.
“The Holy Father’s clinical condition continues to improve,” stated the latest medical update from the Vatican.
During his hospital stay, Pope Francis had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight, which involved wearing a mask to help push air into his lungs. However, the Vatican confirmed that this treatment has now been discontinued. He is still receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.
The Vatican press office also noted that the infection appears to be under control, with no signs of fever and normal blood test results.
Despite steady improvement, the Vatican has not provided a timeline for his discharge, emphasizing that his recovery remains gradual.
Pope Francis is particularly vulnerable to lung infections due to a past battle with pleurisy, which led to the partial removal of one lung. He has been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to aid his breathing and physical therapy to support his mobility, as he has relied on a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.
Medical experts unaffiliated with his treatment caution that, given his age and existing health conditions, his recovery could be lengthy and challenging.
The pope’s prolonged hospital stay marks his longest absence from public life since his election in 2013.
On Sunday, the Vatican released the first image of Pope Francis in the hospital, showing him praying in a chapel.
