The Sat Report: Pope Francis still in critical condition, but is improving slightly
Let us continue to pray for the good health of Pope Francis
Today, the Pope’s 11th day in hospital, brought some good news. His blood tests are showing slight improvements, so things are moving in the right direction. But as is the nature of these things, we want to see slight improvements over consecutive days, before saying things are trending in the right direction. Therefore the doctors treating him are still “prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis.” We all need to see more data. The Pope is still in a precarious state of health given his age and underlying comorbidities.
The Holy Father was back to work in the afternoon, and was well enough to have a call with the Catholic Parish in Gaza, as he has done on a daily basis since Hamas attacked Israel. All good indicators, though the situation remains critical.
On the medical side of things, the Vatican confirmed that his doctors are not concerned about his kidneys and the management of his acute kidney injury is under control, echoing what I said yesterday that it is most probably an expected effect of his blood transfusions. The Pope is still on oxygen, but at a lower flow rate and concentration. He hasn’t been in respiratory distress since Saturday morning, when he suffered an acute asthma attack. These are all positive signs. He is still being treated for bilateral pneumonia, however. The clinical team are probably trying to wean him slowly off the oxygen, whilst keeping an eye on his blood oxygen saturations. This is the most important parameter and the thing that will be keeping the doctors up at night. At the moment the Pope is maintaining his saturations, though requiring supplemental oxygen to do so.
My sources in the hospital are telling me that though he is clinically in a critical condition, he is in good humour and is eating well, and is feeding himself. The Vatican sources I have, on the other hand, I’m pretty certain have never stepped foot in a hospital. There is a lot of rumours floating around that the Pope is moribund. The honest truth is that we don’t know, though it is completely irresponsible and wrong to say, as some are, that he has 72 hours to live. Most important of all is that we continue to storm heaven with prayers.
Here is today statement from the Holy See Press Office in full:
The Holy Father's clinical condition, despite its severity, has shown a slight improvement.
No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred today, and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels.
Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the doctors are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis.
In the morning, the Pope received the Eucharist, while in the afternoon, he resumed his work.
In the evening, he called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness.
Pope Francis thanks the entire People of God, who in these days have gathered to pray for his health.
This evening the first of nightly rosaries for the health of Pope Francis has held in St. Peter’s Square, 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.