Pope Francis “rested well” during the first night he was admitted to the Policlinico Gemelli hospital in Rome for his respiratory infection. This was reported by the Vatican in the latest statement, which reads that his clinical picture is “progressively improving” and he is following the scheduled treatments.
“This morning, after having breakfast, he read some newspapers and resumed work” from the hospital, declared the spokesman for the Holy See, Matteo Bruni. “Before eating he went to the chapel of the private apartment – ??he added – where he prayed and received the Eucharist”.
The Pontiff has been hospitalized since yesterday afternoon for a respiratory infection that is not coronavirus and, according to some Italian media, doctors have also ruled out that he is suffering from pneumonia.
The Italian news agency Ansa also publishes that the Gemelli nurses are “very optimistic” thinking that, barring any surprises, the Pope can be discharged before the imminent Holy Week celebrations begin with the Palm Sunday mass on the 2nd of April.
The health of Francisco, 86, has been a cause for concern since yesterday the Vatican reported that he was in the hospital for “pre-scheduled checks”, something that sparked all kinds of rumors in Rome. In the end, the Holy See had to explain that the Argentine pope had been having difficulty breathing for a few days and his doctors considered that it was best for him to be transferred to the hospital, where he would remain for a few days to receive “appropriate” medical treatment. . The Vatican has cleared its schedule for this Thursday and this Friday and also canceled an interview with an Italian program for a Holy Week special.
The Pope arrived at the Gemelli in a medical vehicle after, after returning from the Wednesday audience, he felt unwell and his private nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, recommended hospital admission. This is the same toilet that Francisco said he “saved his life” because he convinced him to undergo colon surgery in 2021 in which 33 centimeters of intestine were removed. The audience passed normally, but it did allow the Pope to be seen more tired and serious than usual and with swollen hands.
Now the Jesuit pope is on the same tenth floor of the Roman hospital, which has apartments reserved for the popes, an area that during the long stays of John Paul II became known as “Vatican 3”, behind the Castel Gandolfo summer residence. There they are carrying out all kinds of tests, such as a chest CT, and the first results do not suggest a worrying situation.
Some leaders, such as the president of the United States, Joe Biden, or the president of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, have wished him a speedy recovery. Biden, a Catholic, has assured that he is “worried” about Francisco, a “dear friend.”
