The pope resting after sleeping at night with a ventilation mask

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Vatican City (AP) – Pope Francis rested on Wednesday, the beginning of the period of which became solemn leading to the observances of Holy Week, after sleeping all night with a ventilation mask when he undergoes hospital treatment for double pneumonia.

In his last update, the Vatican said that the Pope was resting well overnight, waking up shortly after 8 am, Pope Francis remained in a stable state, with a prognosis kept, which means that he was not out of danger. He took over the additional oxygen delivered by a nasal tube in the morning, alternating from a ventilation mask at night while doctors seek to relieve his breathing for a deeper rest.

The 88 -year -old pope, who suffers from a chronic pulmonary disease and has part of a lung withdrawn as a young man, had two respiratory crises on a backhand on Monday.

On Tuesday, he was breathing with the help of additional oxygen after respiratory attacks one day earlier, but resumed with a ventilation mask at night, said the Vatican.

The hospitalization of Francis began on February 14 and is the longest of its 12 -year papacy.

Ash Wednesday

Francis’ treatment continues as the Vatican is preparing for Lent, the solemn period starting on the ashes on Wednesday and leading to Easter on April 20. A cardinal was appointed to take the place of Francis during the Vatican celebrations, with a traditional service and a procession in Rome

On Wednesday of ashes, Catholics observers receive a sign of the cross in ashes on the forehead, a gesture which underlines human mortality. It is a compulsory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics which signals the beginning of the most penitent season of Christianity.

The Vatican is preparing for Lent without Francis

The Pope intended to attend a spiritual retreat this coming weekend with the rest of the Saint-Siège hierarchy. Tuesday, the Vatican said that retirement would continue without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him. The theme, selected weeks ago and well before Francis fell ill, was “hope in eternal life”.

Francis, who is not physically active, uses a wheelchair and overweight, had undergone respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his pulmonary function. The accumulation of secretions in his lungs was a sign that he does not have the muscle tone to cough vigorously to expel the liquid.

Doctors often use non -invasive ventilation to avoid intubation or use of more invasive mechanical ventilation. Francis was not intubated during this hospitalization. It is not clear if it has provided instructions on the limits of his care if he seriously refuses or loses consciousness.

Catholic education maintains that life must be defended from conception to natural death. He insists that chronic patient patients, including those of vegetative states, must receive “ordinary” care such as hydration and nutrition, but “extraordinary” or disproportionate care can be suspended if they are no longer beneficial or only prolong a precarious and painful life.

The author of the Associated Press Colleen Barry in Rome contributed to this report.

Originally published: March 5, 2025 at 5 h 28 PST