The Sat Report: Pope Francis in stable condition, weaning off non-invasive mechanical ventilation

The Pope is in good humour and prayed in the hospital chapel for 20 minutes

Following on from yesterday’s vomit aspiration, which led to Pope Francis requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Holy Father is in a stable condition, in good humour and prayed for 20 minutes in the chapel on the 10th floor of the Gemelli University Hospital. He is slowly being weaned off the non-invasive mechanical ventilation, alternating back and forth with high-flow oxygen.

On another positive note, the Holy Father continues to not have a fever, and his white cell count has gone back to normal, which bodes well for his pneumonia. Doctors will still be wary of the Holy Father developing aspiration pneumonia, so the next 24 hours will be significant.

The Holy Father is back undergoing chest physio, and has not had any further violent coughing fits. He is however still in critical condition.

Here is today’s statement from the Holy See Press Office in full:

The Holy Father's clinical condition remains stable.

He is alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation, maintaining a good response to gas exchange.

The Holy Father does not have a fever and shows no leukocytosis [high white blood cell count].

His haemodynamic parameters have always remained stable; he has continued eat on his own and has regularly undergone respiratory physiotherapy, in which he cooperates actively. He has not experienced any further episodes of bronchospasm.

The Holy Father remains alert and oriented. He received the Eucharist on Saturday afternoon, then devoted himself to prayer.

The prognosis remains guarded.

This evening rosary for the health of Pope Francis has held in St. Peter’s Basilica, due to inclement weather, and was led by Claudio Cardinal Gugerotti, Prefect of Dicastery for the Eastern Churches and former Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, with the entire Roman Curia and most of the other Cardinals resident in Rome in attendance.

Let us all please continue to pray for the Pope, whose condition remains critical, during this very trying time for him.

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.