Page 4 - Vatican

Pope Francis 'responding well to pneumonia therapy; showing improvement'

Pope Francis is responding well to therapy for double pneumonia and has shown a gradual, slight improvement in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday. But as a precaution his doctors have decided to keep his prognosis as guarded. Francis has remained stable, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood, doctors reported in a Vatican statement. The statement said the doctors decided to keep his prognosis guarded, meaning he isn't out of danger. Francis worked and rested during the day Saturday, the Vatican said.

Pope in hospital for 3 wks with double pneumonia. How serious is that?

Friday marks three weeks since Pope Francis was hospitalised for bronchitis, which then led to double pneumonia. He was also treated for a complex lung infection and has suffered several respiratory crises requiring further treatment, including machines to help him breathe. Doctors not involved in the pope's care say the road ahead could be tricky, even if the 88-year-old pope fully recovers. Here's a look at the pope's hospitalisation and what doctors will be watching out for in the days and weeks ahead. Why was Pope Francis hospitalized in the first place? The pope was hospitalised February 14 after suffering from weeks of bronchitis that made it increasingly hard for him to speak. Several days later, Vatican authorities said he had a complex infection in his respiratory system requiring more targeted treatment. The pope then developed pneumonia in both lungs and began receiving steroid and antibiotics, among other treatments. How bad is this? He's an 88-year-old who's been in

Pope Francis records audio, thanks people from hospital for their prayers

Pope Francis recorded an audio greeting Thursday to thank people for their prayers as he continued his recovery from double pneumonia in stable condition with no new respiratory crises or fever, the Vatican said. The audio was to be broadcast at the start of the evening Rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square, Vatican officials said. Given the continued stability of Francis' condition, doctors said they didn't expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger. The Vatican said Francis continued respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome's Gemelli hospital. The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for

Pope Francis stable after respiratory crisis, taken off ventilation mask

Pope Francis had stabilised enough on Tuesday after two respiratory crises to be taken off noninvasive mechanical ventilation and resume receiving just high flows of supplemental oxygen via a nasal tube to help him breathe, the Vatican said. Francis, 88, woke up and was resuming respiratory physiotherapy after sleeping through the night, the Vatican said. The Vatican said as of Tuesday morning, Francis no longer needed to wear the mechanical ventilation mask that covers his nose and mouth to pump oxygen into his lungs. He had to resume using the mask on Monday after suffering two respiratory crises that required doctors to extract copious amounts of mucus from his lungs. Francis rested early Tuesday after he suffered further setbacks in his fight against double pneumonia: two new acute respiratory crises that required him to resume using noninvasive mechanical ventilation to breathe. In its early Tuesday update, the Vatican said: The pope slept through the night, now rest ...

Pope Francis faces new breathing issues, back on noninvasive ventilation

Francis had inhaled "copious" amounts of mucus in another setback in what has become a more than two-week battle to overcome a complex respiratory infection and pneumonia

Pope Francis off ventilation, signals he's overcoming respiratory risks

Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didn't need any mechanical ventilation Sunday, the Vatican said. It was a sign that he had overcome the possible complications from a respiratory crisis on Friday and that his breathing function overall was improving as he recovers from double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pope did continue to receive high flow supplemental oxygen after Friday's coughing episode, which sparked fears of a new lung infection. Doctors in their late Sunday update said Francis remained stable but again referred to the complexity of his overall condition and kept his prognosis at guarded, meaning he wasn't out of danger. Francis, who has been in the hospital since Feb 14, rested, prayed in his private chapel and participated in Mass for the rest of the day after having a visit in the morning from the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and his chief of staff, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra. The content of their talks wasn't known, but even when at th

Pope stable, resting in hospital; skips Sunday noon blessing again

Pope Francis remained in stable condition Saturday a day after a respiratory crisis, and spent long periods of the day off the noninvasive ventilation he initially needed in a sign that his lung function was improving as he battles double pneumonia. Francis had no further episodes of bronchial spasms, the Vatican said in its late update. He had no fever and no signs of new infection, was feeding himself and continued his respiratory physiotherapy, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old pope had a good response in his blood gas levels even during the long periods he was off the ventilator mask and only using high-flow supplemental oxygen. But his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasn't out of danger. The Holy Father is always vigilant and aware of what's going on around him, the statement said, adding that he received the Eucharist and spent time in prayer. The comparatively positive update came after Francis suffered a setback Friday in his two-week battle against pneumonia. Fran

Pope had bronchial spasm, his prognosis remains guarded, says Vatican

Pope Francis suffered an isolated coughing fit on Friday that resulted in him inhaling vomit, requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said in relaying a setback in his two-week long battle against double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pope remained conscious and alert at all times and cooperated with the maneuvers to help him recover. He responded well, with a good level of oxygen exchange and was continuing to wear a mask to receive supplemental oxygen, the Vatican said. The development marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors treating Francis at Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14. The episode, which occurred in the early afternoon, resulted in a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture. Doctors decided to keep Francis' prognosis as guarded and indicated they needed 24-48 hours to evaluate how and if the episode has impacted his overall clinical condition. The episode, which doctors described as an .

Pope Francis shows slight improvement in battle against pneumonia: Vatican

The Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Francis has shown further slight improvement as he battles double pneumonia, but doctors still say his prognosis is still guarded. A CT chest scan taken Tuesday evening showed the normal evolution of an infection as it is being treated. Blood tests have confirmed an improvement, according to the Vatican's late update. The slight kidney insufficiency detected a few days ago has receded, and Francis is continuing to receive respiratory physiotherapy. It was the first time the Vatican has said Francis was receiving physiotherapy to help him expel fluid from his lungs. Francis resumed work in the afternoon, after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. He was sitting upright and receiving therapy, the Vatican said, as Argentines, Romans and others have kept up the steady stream of prayers for his recovery. Meanwhile, the Holy See machinery has ground on, with the announcement of new bishops and a new church fundraising initiative. The pope continu

Pope Francis is critical but stable with no new respiratory crises: Vatican

Pope Francis was in critical but stable condition Tuesday as he worked from the hospital while battling double pneumonia, and the Vatican announced some major governing decisions that suggest he is getting essential work done and looking ahead. The Vatican's evening update said the 88-year-old pope had had no new respiratory crises and that his blood parameters were stable. He underwent a follow-up CAT scan Tuesday evening to check the lung infection, but no results were provided. Doctors said his prognosis remained guarded. In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities, the Vatican statement said. Decisions on saints and a formal meeting of cardinals The Vatican's Tuesday noon bulletin contained a series of significant decisions Francis had taken, most importantly that he had met on Monday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Pea Parra, the Vatican substitute or chief of staff. It was the first known time the pope had met with Parolin, who

Pope Francis shows improvement, resumes some work, still critical: Vatican

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began, the Vatican said. The Vatican's evening bulletin was more upbeat than in recent days, as the 88-year-old Francis battles pneumonia in both lungs. It said he hadn't had any more respiratory crises since Saturday and that the supplemental oxygen that he was using continued but with a slightly reduced oxygen flow and concentrations. The slight kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was not causing alarm at the moment, doctors said, while saying his prognosis remained guarded. He received the Eucharist in the morning and resumed working 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, Francis has checked in daily via videocall with the Argentine priest,

Pope Francis in critical condition: Key updates and what to know

Pope Francis, 88, is in critical condition due to severe respiratory issues. Watch the video for details.

Pope Francis wakes up on 10th day of hospitalisation, remains critical

This marks the tenth day of his hospitalisation for a severe lung infection that has led to early-stage kidney insufficiency

Pope Francis resting after early stages of kidney insufficiency detected

Pope Francis was conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen Sunday as he remained in critical condition with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said. Prayers for him poured in from around the world, from his native Argentina to the seat of Sunni Islam in Cairo to schoolchildren in Rome. In New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said what church leaders in Rome weren't saying publicly: that the Catholic faithful were united at the bedside of a dying father. As our Holy Father Pope Francis is in very, very fragile health, and probably close to death, Dolan said at St. Patrick's Cathedral, without saying if he had independent information about the pope's condition. In Rome, the Vatican limited itself to saying that the 88-year-old Francis, who has pneumonia in both lungs and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen after a respiratory crisis on Saturday. Further clinical tests were being ...

Pope Francis rested during night following respiratory crisis: Vatican

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old Francis, who has been hospitalised for a week with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed low platelet counts associated with anemia, the Vatican said in a late update. The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved, the statement said. Doctors have said Francis' condition is touch-and-go and that he is by no means out of danger. They have warned that the main threat facing Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. As of Friday, there was no evidence of any sepsis, and Francis was responding to the various drugs he is taking, the pope's medical team said in their first in-depth update

Pope Francis 'alert and responsive' as health shows slight improvement

Pope Francis was hospitalised last Friday after a week of worsening bronchitis. On Monday (Feb 17), doctors diagnosed him with a respiratory infection caused by multiple viruses and bacteria

Fresh Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 22 as Vatican envoy visits region

Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said. Israeli authorities meanwhile allowed Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, to enter Gaza and celebrate a pre-Christmas Mass with members of the territory's small Christian community. A strike on a school housing displaced people in Gaza City killed at least eight people, including three children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Civil Defense, first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run government, had earlier said four children were among those killed. The Israeli military said it carried out a precise strike on Hamas militants sheltering there. A strike on a home in the central city of Deir al-Balah late Saturday killed at least eight people, including three women and two children, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies. A man and his wife were .

Indian delegation meets Pope Francis, presents books on PM Modi's vision

Members of the Indian delegation had the honour of meeting Pope Francis at Vatican City, presenting two books, Modi@20BJP Spokesperson Anil K Antony posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Very blessed to meet Holy Father Pope Francis at Vatican City as a part of the Indian delegation. Presented two books 'Modi@20 , dreams meet delivery' and 'Mann Ki Baat @100, igniting collecting goodness' to His Holiness during my interaction with him."Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance and leadership, the books were offered as a gesture of cultural and diplomatic exchange during the interaction.The BlueKraft Digital Foundation, responsible for publishing the works, expressed pride in this significant moment. In a post on X, the foundation wrote, "A moment of immense pride for Bluekraft Digital Foundation as 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' and 'Mann Ki Baat: Igniting Collective Change'--two seminal works reflecting the governance & leadership of PM Narendra Modi were ...

Matter of immense pride, says PM Modi on priest's elevation as cardinal

Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad being elevated as a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis is a matter of great joy and pride for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. He said George Cardinal Koovakad has devoted his life to the service of humanity as an ardent follower of Jesus Christ. "A matter of great joy and pride for India! Delighted at His Eminence George Jacob Koovakad being created a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope Francis," Modi said in a post on X. "His Eminence George Cardinal Koovakad has devoted his life in service of humanity as an ardent follower of Lord Jesus Christ. My best wishes for his future endeavours," the prime minister said. In a grand consistory held in the Vatican on Saturday, 51-year-old Koovakad was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis. The ceremony, held at the famous St Peter's Basilica and attended by clergy and dignitaries from around the world, witnessed the inducti

Pope Francis's visit to India likely after Jubilee Year 2025: Kurian

Union Minister George Kurian on Saturday said the much-awaited visit of Pope Francis to India is likely to happen after 2025, which has been announced as the "Jubilee Year" by the Catholic Church. He said India had already invited the Pope officially and Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly extended him the invitation. The rest of the matters and procedures were to be decided by the Vatican. The visit would be scheduled as per the convenience of Pope Francis, he told media. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Kurian was part of the delegation which reached Vatican to take part in the ordination of Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad, hailing from Kerala, as Cardinal by Pope Francis at a function to be held on Saturday. "The Church is celebrating 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Jesus Christ's birth. So, Vatican says that the Pope will be engaged during the (next) year," "So, as per the information we received, Pope Francis will visit India after the Jubilee Year. We expect that