Pope Francis is no longer relying on mechanical ventilation to assist his breathing at night, and his doctors believe his condition will continue to improve, according to a statement from the Vatican.
The pope has been undergoing treatment for a severe respiratory infection at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks. The latest medical update confirmed that his condition is improving.
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, this ventilation has now been suspended, though the pope is still receiving oxygen through a small hose under his nose.
The Vatican press office reported that the pope’s infection is under control, and his doctors confirmed that he no longer has a fever and his blood tests are normal.
For the past two weeks, the Vatican has described the pope’s condition as stable or improving. However, they have not provided a specific timeline for his discharge, mentioning that his recovery is progressing slowly.
Pope Francis is particularly vulnerable to lung infections due to a history of pleurisy in his youth and the partial removal of one of his lungs. He has also been receiving respiratory physiotherapy to aid his breathing and physical therapy for his mobility. In recent years, he has used a wheelchair due to knee and back pain.
Medical experts not involved in his care have noted that the pope is likely facing a lengthy and challenging recovery, considering his age and underlying health conditions.
This hospitalization marks Pope Francis’ longest absence from public view since his election as pope in 2013. The Vatican released the first image of him in the hospital on Sunday, showing him praying in a chapel.