Pope Francis‘s health has slightly improved as he continues to battle double pneumonia, the Vatican has said in its latest update.
On Tuesday, the Pontiff, 88, was said to be in a ‘critical but stable’ condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
He is currently receiving treatment for respiratory and kidney problems after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both his lungs.
But the Vatican has now said that the Pope has returned to work as his condition has slightly improved over the past 24 hours.
In an update, the Holy See said the results of a chest CT scan had come back showing the ‘normal progression of lung inflammation’.
His ‘mild kidney insufficiency’ observed in recent days had also subsided, the Vatican added.
However, despite the promising news, the Vatican said the Pope’s prognosis remains ‘guarded’ and that his respiratory physiotherapy is continuing.
The Holy See press office’s full statement reads: ‘The Holy Father’s condition has shown a slight further improvement over the past 24 hours.
Pope Francis’s health has slightly improved as he continues to battle double pneumonia, the Vatican has said in its latest update
A man prays at St. Peter’s Square as Pope Francis continues his hospitalisation for pneumonia
Pope Francis waves to the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter’s Square in The Vatican on November 13 last year
‘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 the Eucharist, and in the afternoon, he resumed his work.’
The 88-year-old has been undergoing treatment since February 14, when he was admitted after struggling with breathing difficulties.
On Monday, the Vatican also reported that the Pope’s health had slightly improved.
In a major update, it was revealed that Francis was easing himself back into work as he met with senior Vatican officials this afternoon at the Gemelli Hospital.
Faithful pray before the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome
A nun prays before the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome
Candles are lit up for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome
Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Pena visited the 88-year-old to help him carry out his duties.
The Pontiff also yesterday approved decrees for five people for beatification and two new saints.
The Vatican announced that Francis had additionally named a handful of new bishops for Brazil, named a new archbishop for Vancouver, and modified the law for the Vatican City State to create a new hierarchy.
Well-wishers across the globe have continued to pray for the health of the Pope, with candles also being lit outside the hospital in Rome.
Amid his ailing health, many have speculated that Francis will give up the Papacy before it’s too late.
He revealed he penned a statement 12 years ago in the event that illness prevents him from fulfilling his duties.
Francis wrote the letter to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the then Secretary of State, who holds the second highest position in the Vatican.
People pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday
A woman stands at St Peter’s Square as Pope Francis continues his hospitalisation
A man holds rosary beads as he prays for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic
Asked whether there was a procedure in the event he would have to resign, the leader of the Catholic Church once told Spanish newspaper ABC he had made provision for his renunciation after taking office in 2013.
Referring to Cardinal Bertone, he said: ‘I signed it and said: “If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. Here you have it.”‘
He added that he expected his letter would have been passed on to Cardinal Bertone’s successor, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
‘Now someone will run up to Bertone [and say] “Give me that piece of paper!” the Pope said jokingly during the interview.
