The Sat Report: Pope Francis is improving slightly
Some good news today, let us all to continue to pray for the Pope
Today, the 13th day of Pope Francis’ admission to the Gemelli University Hospital, and although the Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical, he is stable and is improving, and everything we heard today indicates that the Holy Father is moving in the right direction and will survive this illness. That is not to say that he is out of the woods, but as it stands many things are looking positive.
Today we found out the results of the CT scan the Pope had yesterday, which somewhat confusingly states that the scan showed a normal progression of the lung inflammation, but which I’m almost certain should read a normal progression of the pneumonia. This to me means that the Pope is responding to treatment. This is very good news.
The Pope has also recovered from his acute kidney injury, blood test are trending in the right direction and he hasn’t had any respiratory distress since Saturday. However he is still requiring high-flow oxygen to maintain his blood oxygen saturations. It is a positive sign that he is fit enough to undergo chest physiotherapy, that will undoubtedly help with mucus clearance, which will in turn help his lung perfusion, and might help wean him off his dependence on oxygen. So there is reason to have quite optimism at moment.
My sources in the hospital are telling me that these daily medical statements are rightly being cautious, but that the Pope is better than he has been in a few days and is starting to turn the corner. He sits in his armchair to eat lunch and dinner, and is feeding himself. Chest physiotherapy started yesterday and seems to be really helping with things.
Here is today’s statement from the Holy See Press Office in full:
The Holy Father's condition has shown a slight further improvement over the past 24 hours. The mild kidney insufficiency observed in recent days has subsided. A chest CT scan carried out last night showed a normal progression of the lung inflammation. Blood tests conducted today confirmed the improvement seen yesterday.
The Holy Father remains on high-flow oxygen therapy but has not experienced any asthma-like respiratory episodes today. Respiratory physiotherapy is continuing. Despite the slight improvement, his prognosis remains guarded.
This morning, the Holy Father received Holy Communion, and in the afternoon, he resumed his work.
This evening the third of nightly rosaries for the health of Pope Francis has held in St. Peter’s Square, tonight led by Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, 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.