The Holy See press office tells journalists that Pope Francis continues to improve and requires less oxygenation, explaining that the Pope was walking Thursday when he decided to go to the Saint Peter Basilica to pray.
By Vatican News
The convalescence of the Pope continues regularly and he continues to show improvements, the Holy See press office announced on Friday morning.
During a briefing on the health of the Pope, the press office revealed that Pope Francis continues to show clinical improvements while he is recovering at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, after his hospitalization for a polymicrobial infection that resulted in bilateral pneumonia.
The Holy Father was released from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a “protected discharge” on Sunday, March 23.
The state of Pope Francis has shown more light respiratory improvements, mobility and voice, and blood tests are good, noted the press office.
The Holy Father continued its treatment and physiotherapy linked to mobility and mobility; It also needs less additional oxygen. During the day, it can spend long periods without being administered oxygen.
In addition, Pope Francis continues his work activities and is in a good mood, said the press office.
He noted that the Holy Father received visits from collaborators from the Roman Curia, in particular the substitute of the Vatican for the general affairs of the Secretariat of State, the Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra; The Vatican Secretary of Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher; Archbishop Luciano Russo, Secretary of the State Secretariat for Pontifical Representations, and other Superior Prefects of Curia and Dicastery.
The press office noted that it was still too early to discuss the Pope’s participation in the liturgies of Holy Week, because the weather plays a role, explaining that more information will probably be given by event.
For the first major liturgy of Holy Week, Pope Francis chose Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as his delegate to chair mass for twice on Sundays.
The last update came the day after the Pope’s surprise exit to spend time in the Saint-Pierre basilica. On Wednesday, he held a private audience at Casa Santa Marta with British King Charles III and Queen Camilla, expressing her best wishes for their wedding anniversary.
On Sunday, he also surprised when he made his first public appearance at the Vatican since he left the hospital. At the end of the mass for the jubilee of sick workers and health care on Sunday, the pope appeared briefly on stage, greeting and blessing the crowd, saying to the pilgrims: “Pass a good Sunday, and thank you very much.”
In light of all of the above, the press office recognized that the Pope’s improvements could be observed on these occasions.
Regarding Thursday’s release, the press office said that the Holy Father was walking and decided to extend it by going to pray in the basilica.
The next briefing on the Holy Father will probably take place on Tuesday, April 15.
