Pope no longer needs ventilation at night
A person holds an image of Pope Francis on the day of a prayer service in St. Peter's square as Pope Francis continues hospitalization, at the Vatican. —REUTERS
VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night and his doctors believe he will continue to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in the latest positive update as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia.
Francis has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks for a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are confirmed to be improving,” said the latest detailed medical update on his condition.
The pope had been using noninvasive mechanical ventilation overnight during his hospital stay, which involves placing a mask over the face to help push air into the lungs.
