Pope Francis is not out of danger. The Pontiff's condition remains extremely serious, although on Monday there was a slight improvement in his laboratory tests, and he did some work, reported the Vatican, including a call to a parish in Gaza City with which he has been in contact since the war began there. On Tuesday, the Vatican reported that Francis "slept well all night."
The Vatican's evening bulletin on Monday was more optimistic than in recent days, despite Francis, 88, battling pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Christian faithful around the world are praying for the Pope, and the Vatican's Secretary of State presided over a solemn nighttime recitation of the Rosary in St. Peter's Square early this morning, reminiscent of the vigils when Saint John Paul II was dying.
The Argentine Pope has not had any more respiratory crises since Saturday, and he continues to receive supplemental oxygen. The incipient renal failure detected on Sunday is alarming, according to doctors, although his prognosis remains reserved.
The Pope approves the canonization of Venezuelan layman José Gregorio from the hospital
Pope Francis approved the decree for the canonization of the Venezuelan blessed José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros while hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican reported on Tuesday, according to Efe.
Francis signed the decree during the visit by the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and the substitute for the Secretary of State, the Venezuelan Edgar Peña Parra.
Hernández Cisneros, known as the 'Doctor of the poor' (1864-1919), was beatified on April 30, 2021, in Caracas.
The Pope received the Vatican Secretary of State in the hospital
Pope Francis received on Monday at the Gemelli Hospital, where he is hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican Secretary of State, the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the substitute for the Secretary of State, the Venezuelan Edgar Peña Parra, the Holy See's press office reported on Tuesday, according to Efe.
During the visit, the first by representatives of the Curia, the Pope signed some decrees for beatification, the Vatican reported, without providing further details.
Spanish bishops show unity with the Pope and pray for him
Spanish bishops expressed their unity with the Pope on Tuesday and stated in statements to Europa Press that they are praying for him, following the latest news about his health, Europa Press reports.
Archbishop of Burgos, Mario Iceta, and the Bishop of Astorga, Jesús Fernández, expressed their prayers for the Pope's recovery upon their arrival at the Permanent Commission taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the headquarters of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) in Madrid.
Fernández indicated that they are praying for the Pope "to recover." He acknowledged that although the latest news "seems somewhat encouraging," the situation is "difficult." "Of course, we are praying for him to recover. The latest news seems somewhat encouraging, but we will not hide that the situation is difficult. We all hope he recovers," he said.
Badajoz Cathedral to hold a vigil for Pope Francis' health this Thursday
The Archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz, Monsignor José Rodríguez Carballo, will preside over a prayer vigil at Badajoz Cathedral this Thursday, February 27, to pray for the health of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized, Europa Press reports.
The vigil will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will consist of evening prayers and the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, to which the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz invites all those who wish to attend.
Pope's pneumonia caused by two microorganisms
Double pneumonia is a severe infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making breathing difficult. The Vatican described the Pope's infection as "complex" and stated that it was caused by two or more microorganisms, Reuters reports.
Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, has experienced health problems in the last two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of a lung removed.
The Pope continues to be "a fragile patient," as his doctor Luigi Carbone warned on Friday. His medical team has cautioned that it will take time for the medication treatment he is receiving to show a positive effect, according to Afp.
"Considering the complexity of the clinical picture, the doctors have declined to 'comment on the prognosis,'" the Vatican said on Monday. Francis, who is staying in a papal suite on the tenth floor of the hospital, has continued working and was able to move from his bed to a chair to receive the Eucharist.
Antibiotics are working
"Antibiotic therapy is working, the little information we have indicates there is recovery and things are heading in the right direction," said Massimo Andreoni, scientific director of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa.
"A young person needs two weeks or even more to fully recover from double pneumonia. For an older person like Pope Francis, with all the complications that have been added (...), we must expect longer times for a complete recovery," he stated.
Key points on Pope Francis' health
The Argentine is receiving oxygen and was diagnosed with renal insufficiency on Sunday. His prognosis remains reserved, and the impact on his kidneys could lead to serious problems, although doctors have assured that there is no need to be alarmed. These are the key points of the renal insufficiency that Pope Francis is experiencing.
Pope Francis "rested well all night"
Pope Francis, in critical condition after suffering double pneumonia, "rested well all night," the Vatican said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
The Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 with a severe respiratory illness that has since triggered other health problems.
Maduro says Pope Francis has Venezuela's "loving prayers"
Nicolás Maduro, who was sworn in for a third term on January 10 after his controversial reelection, stated on Monday that Pope Francis has Venezuela's "loving prayers" for his recovery, after being hospitalized for bronchitis with polymicrobial infection followed by bilateral pneumonia, Efe reports.
"Pope Francis knows that he has the loving, Christian, and profound prayer of the Venezuelan people. I sent him a letter four days ago expressing all our admiration," said the Chavista leader on his weekly television program. Maduro pointed out that the pontiff is the "ethical leader of humanity, loved by all religions, by all peoples of humanity."
Francis received the Eucharist on Monday morning and called Gaza
For over a year, Francis has been in daily contact via video calls with Father Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine priest who leads the Catholic community in that church, which served as a refuge for Palestinians during the war against Israel. Romanelli had reported speaking with Francis shortly after he was hospitalized but not since then. He had sent a video to the pontiff, and he called to thank him, the Vatican indicated.
The Pope was in good spirits, had no pain, and was not receiving artificial nutrition, the Holy See added. The work he was doing included reading and signing documents, and in fact, the Vatican's daily midday bulletin has included new bishop nominations almost every day, although most were decided in advance.
"Seeing him suffer hurts," said Robert Pietro, a Romanian seminarian who was at the prayer in St. Peter's Square holding a small scented candle in tribute. "But we also pray in gratitude for what he has done for the Church."
Roberto Allison, a priest from the Mexican state of Guadalajara, mentioned that members of his community had gathered to show their appreciation for "what we have learned from him."