Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since February 14 due to respiratory issues, has managed to spend “brief moments” without additional oxygen, according to the Vatican press office. However, his health condition remains unchanged.
“At certain times, probably brief, the pope can do without oxygen support, such as when he moves around,” the same source stated. This statement came a day after the release of the first image of the pontiff since his hospitalization. The photograph shows him seated in a wheelchair, with his head slightly bowed, at the altar of his private chapel in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. In the image, the pope appears alone and without the high-flow nasal cannula he usually wears during the day to aid his breathing.
Francis, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, was admitted 32 days ago for bronchitis, which developed into bilateral pneumonia. Since then, he has not made any public appearances.
The latest medical report, issued by the Holy See on Saturday night, confirmed that his condition remains “stable,” although he still requires hospital treatment despite his “gradual improvement.”
This Monday, the first Latin American pope combined respiratory and motor physiotherapy with moments of rest, prayer, and work, according to the Vatican press office, which added that “the situation remains steady.”
Since his last respiratory crisis on March 3, doctors have been administering oxygen via a mask at night. However, since the end of last week, they have gradually started reducing its use to encourage lung activity.
Additionally, on Monday, the Vatican announced that the intensity of the oxygen flow supplied through the nasal cannula during the day has also been reduced, signaling a gradual recovery of the pontiff’s lung capacity.
On March 10, his prognosis was no longer considered critical. However, doctors have not yet determined a discharge date, and the Holy See warns that the recovery process will be slow.
This has been the longest hospitalization in his 12-year pontificate, raising concerns about his ability to continue leading. Despite his recent health issues, Pope Francis has ruled out the possibility of resigning, unlike his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013.
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