Pope Francis Marks Milestone Amid Ongoing Recovery from Pneumonia
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Pope Francis is continuing to recover from pneumonia, with the Vatican confirming that his condition has improved since his hospitalization a month ago. At 88 years old, the Pope remains in stable condition, though he still requires respiratory assistance for both day and night.
Pope Francis has been undergoing treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14, where he is receiving ongoing care for pneumonia in both lungs. He uses a nasal cannula during the day and an oxygen mask while sleeping to help with his breathing. On Thursday, he also participated in physiotherapy sessions as part of his recovery plan.
Despite his health struggles, Pope Francis marked his 12th anniversary as the Pope by tasting a celebratory cake. He also took time to pray and perform his daily breathing exercises, maintaining his spiritual and physical routines.
The Vatican’s press office announced that another medical bulletin would be issued later in the day but suggested that daily updates might soon be reduced as the Pope’s health stabilizes. As discussions around his potential return home grow, questions linger about the Pope’s ability to fulfill his duties, especially given the extended nature of his hospital stay. However, the Vatican assured the public that recovery for someone of his age, especially with bilateral pneumonia, requires patience.
“An 88-year-old recovering from pneumonia needs time to regain both energy and strength,” the Vatican’s statement noted.