ROME (AP) — The Vatican reported Monday that Pope Francis’s condition, while still critical, has slightly improved based on laboratory tests. The 88-year-old pontiff has resumed some work, including a phone call to a parish in Gaza City, a connection he has maintained since the beginning of the war there.
The Vatican’s evening update was more optimistic compared to previous days, noting that Francis, who is battling pneumonia in both lungs, has not experienced any further respiratory distress since Saturday. He continues to receive supplemental oxygen, but the flow and concentration have been slightly reduced. Doctors indicated that the minor kidney issue detected on Sunday is currently not a cause for concern, though his overall prognosis remains guarded.
He received the Eucharist in the morning and went back to work in the afternoon.
“In the evening he called the parish priest of the Gaza parish to express his fatherly closeness,” the statement said.
For over a year, Pope Francis has been in daily contact via video call with Rev. Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine priest who leads the Catholic community at a church in Gaza. The church has been used as a shelter for Palestinians during Israel’s war. Romanelli had mentioned hearing from Pope Francis shortly after his hospitalization, but not since. After Romanelli sent Pope Francis a video, the Pope called to express his gratitude, according to the Vatican.
Earlier on Monday, the Vatican announced that nighttime prayers for the Pope’s health would be held in St. Peter’s Square, inviting Romans and others to participate. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second-highest-ranking official, was scheduled to lead the first prayer that evening.
The Vatican stated that Pope Francis was in good spirits, not in pain, and not receiving artificial nutrition. His work included reading and signing documents. The Vatican’s daily noon bulletin has consistently included new bishop appointments, most of which were decided beforehand.
Despite the updates, the atmosphere at the Gemelli hospital, where Pope Francis has been since February 14 due to a worsening case of bronchitis, remained somber. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori led a crowded, emotional Mass in the chapel named after St. John Paul II, who was frequently hospitalized there. Among the approximately 200 attendees were individuals in white doctor’s coats or green surgical scrubs, with some kneeling in prayer.
“We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope, let’s hope that he makes it. Let us hope,” said a choked-up Filomena Ferraro, who was visiting a relative at Gemelli on Monday. “We are joining him with our prayers but what else can we do?”
Doctors have described Pope Francis’ condition as precarious, considering his age, frailty, and existing lung condition. They have cautioned that the primary threat to his health is sepsis, a severe infection that can arise as a complication of pneumonia.
So far, the Vatican’s medical updates have not mentioned any signs of sepsis.
At 10 full days, this hospitalization marks Pope Francis’ longest tenure in the hospital as Pope. He previously spent 10 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in 2021 after undergoing a procedure to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon.
