THE Vatican has released an update on Pope Francis’ health after the 88-year-old’s condition suddenly worsened in hospital.
Francis is now in a stable condition after he was hospitalised in Rome on February 14 – but his “prognosis remains reserved”, according to the Holy See.
RexA recitation of the Rosary for Pope Francis health in St Peters Square on Sunday[/caption]
AFPFrancis slept well on Sunday night, according to the Vatican[/caption]
ReutersGemelli Hospital in Rome – where Pope Francis has been admitted for treatment[/caption]
The Press Office of the Holy See simply said: “The Pope rested well all night.”
It comes after the Holy Father suffered a breathing crisis from an isolated bronchospasm on Friday.
The Vatican said Francis had “an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory condition.”
He was initially diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
Monday morning’s good news continues a string of positive days for Francis and could show that he is improving.
On Sunday, the Vatican secretary of state said that Francis thanked doctors and well-wishers and also prayed for peace in Ukraine.
Francis said in his message: “From here, war appears even more absurd.”
He added that he was living his hospitalisation as an “experience of profound solidarity” with people who are “sick and suffering everywhere”.
“I feel in my heart the blessing that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord,” Francis said in the text.
“At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.”
Francis was also able to read the Sunday papers and had coffee and breakfast while continuing with his therapy.
But the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will not lead the annual Ash Wednesday service on March 5, marking the beginning of Lent.
Thousands have been gathering in St. Peter’s Square to pray for his recovery, while visitors at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital — where he is being treated — paused to offer prayers at the statue of St. John Paul II outside the main entrance.
Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has a history of lung problems, having had part of one lung removed due to pleurisy as a young man.
ReutersPope Francis is hospitalised in Gemelli Hospital in Rome[/caption]
APCandles and flowers are seen in front of the hospital the Pope is in[/caption]
But while his condition appears to have stabilised, the prognosis remains uncertain.
Daily staff appointments requiring his approval are still being announced, and on Friday, the Vatican released a papal letter to participants in a Church training course in Rome, signed by Francis with a note stating it was sent “from Gemelli hospital.”
Cardinal Michael Czerny, head of the Vatican’s development office, told Italy’s La Stampa newspaper that while Francis is improving, it is happening “slower than what we would like.”
The Vatican has also firmly denied that Francis is considering stepping down – despite growing speculation about a possible resignation.
The Pope’s illness has prompted an outpouring of support from the faithful.
How will the next Pope be chosen?
THE next Pope is chosen through a process called a Papal Conclave, which takes place after the current Pope dies or resigns.
Here’s how it works:
The College of Cardinals is summoned to the Vatican
The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by a secret ballot
They will prepare for the upcoming papal elections – called a conclave
These Catholic leaders will vote once on the first days and four times a day on each additional day
This vote will continue until one candidate gets two-thirds of the vote
The nominee must then accept the offer and choose their new papal name
This outcome will be confirmed to the public when white smoke burns out of the Sistine Chapel chimney
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