Pope Francis’ health condition has remained stable as he continues a stay in the hospital, though recent bloodwork showed a “slight improvement,” the Vatican said on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Feb. 19 communication, medical staff found the pope’s blood tests to show less inflammatory markers. They said his clinical condition is “stationary.”
The 88-year-old Francis, who has been receiving treatment for a polymicrobial respiratory infection at Gemelli Hospital since Friday, received an additional diagnosis of double pneumonia on Feb. 18.
The Vatican said on Wednesday that Pope Francis had breakfast, read a few newspapers, and did some work with the help of his secretaries. Before lunch, the pontiff received the Eucharist, and in the afternoon he was visited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for 20 minutes.
According to the prime minister’s office, Meloni wished the pope a quick recovery on behalf of the Italian government and the whole country.
The Italian prime minister said she found Francis “alert and responsive.”
“We joked as always. He has not lost his legendary sense of humor,” Meloni added.
A Vatican source said Wednesday morning that Pope Francis does not need supplemental oxygen, that is heart is holding up well, and he is able to occasionally sit in an armchair.
The Vatican has said Francis is receiving cortisone antibiotic therapy to treat a “complex” medical situation, but he “is in good spirits” and asks for continued prayers.
This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.
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Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.
