The Sat Report: Pope Francis responding well to treatment
Things are moving in the right directors, but doctors remain cautious
On the 23rd day of his admission to the Gemelli University Hospital, Pope Francis condition remains stable and is responding well to treatment, showing a gradual, mild improvement.
This is all very good news. Doctors are remaining cautious on his prognosis, however, given the couple episodes of respiratory failure he suffered earlier in the week. All his blood markers are stable, and the Holy Father is maintaining his blood oxygen levels with a combination of high flow oxygen during the day, and BiBAP at night.
The Pope is apparently working, which given what he sounded like on Thursday, I find hard to believe, but this is another positive sign. However, given his age, numerous co-morbidities, and his prolonged stay in hospital, the Pope is likely to face a long road to recovery.
Here is today’s statement from the Holy See Press Office in full:
The Holy Father's clinical condition over the last few days has remained stable and, consequently, shows a good response to the therapies.
There is therefore a gradual, mild improvement.
The Holy Father has been without a fever at all times. Breathing gas exchange has improved; results from blood chemistry and blood count examinations are stable.
In order to monitor these initial improvements also in the coming days, the doctors prudently maintain that the prognosis is still guarded.
This morning, after receiving Holy Communion, the Holy Father prayed in the chapel of the private apartment, while in the afternoon he alternated between rest and work activities.
As planned, the Pope, after receiving high-flow oxygenation with nasal cannulas during the day, will switch to non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night.
The Pope will follow the spiritual exercises, which begin tomorrow, in spiritual communion with the Roman Curia. The text of the Pope's Angelus will be distributed as done so already on recent Sundays.
Tomorrow, the medical update may not be published, given the stability of his clinical condition, but the Press Office will still provide information to journalists.
This evening the thirteen of the nightly rosaries for the health of Pope Francis has held in St. Peter’s Square, tonight led by Michael F. Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with the some of the 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 is 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.