Pope off ventilation, in stable condition
VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis no longer needs the use of a mechanical ventilator to breathe and has been without a fever, the Vatican said on Monday.
The 88-year-old Pontiff rested well overnight and was in stable condition as he fought double pneumonia in hospital for the 18th day, the Holy See added.
“The pope rested well all night,” said a one-line note from the Vatican on Monday morning that did not provide details. A full medical update on the pope’s condition is expected on Monday evening.
Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 with severe respiratory problems that swiftly degenerated into double pneumonia—a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.
More upbeat
The Vatican’s updates on the pope’s condition have taken a more upbeat tone since Friday, when the pope suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways, akin to an asthma attack, that required him to be aspirated.
On Sunday evening, the Vatican said the pope’s condition was stable and he no longer required the use of what was described as “noninvasive, mechanical ventilation”.
But the statement said doctors were keeping the pope’s prognosis as “guarded” due to the complexity of his condition, meaning he is not out of danger.
Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
