Pope Francis, stable in hospital, thanks well-wishers for support

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, in a stable condition as he battles pneumonia in hospital for the 17th day, met two Vatican officials on March 2 and offered thanks to well-wishers for their prayers and support in a written message.

The Vatican said on Saturday evening that the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition had stabilised, following an “isolated” breathing crisis a day earlier.

“I would like to thank you for the prayers,” Pope Francis said in a note released by the Vatican in place of his usual Sunday prayer with pilgrims, which he was not able to lead for the third week running.

“I feel all your affection and closeness and ... I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people,” the message said.

Pope Francis also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s No. 2 official, and his deputy at the hospital on March 2, said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, without giving further details about the meeting.

The Pope, who is known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican during his hospital stay and last met the cardinal and deputy at Gemelli hospital on Feb 24.

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.

Earlier on March 2, the Vatican said in a one-line update that the Pope had rested well overnight. A full medical update on his condition is expected on March 2 evening.

A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the Pope’s health, said on Sunday that Francis was eating normally, moving about his hospital room, and continuing his treatment.

Upbeat tone

The Pope suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways on Feb 28, which is akin to an asthma attack.

However, in a more upbeat tone on March 1, the Vatican said the pontiff did not have a fever and did not show signs of an increased white blood cell count, adding that his blood flow and circulation remained stable.

An elevated white blood cell count often indicates the presence of an active infection or inflammation.

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition remained stable,” the Vatican said on March 1, adding that the prognosis was still guarded, meaning he was not yet out of danger.

The Vatican added that for a second day running, the Pope required non-invasive, mechanical ventilation, alternating between this and “long periods of high-flow oxygen therapy”.

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.

He has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last. REUTERS