VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis’ clinical condition remained stable on Tuesday (March 4), according to a Vatican statement relaying his doctors’ reports. Yesterday, the pope suffered two strong respiratory attacks and had to undergo mechanical ventilation to move air into his lungs.
“The pope remained without a fever, always alert, cooperative regarding therapies and aware,” the statement read, adding that the pope did not have any further episodes of bronchospasms or respiratory insufficiency.
During the day, Francis received high-flow oxygen therapy and respiratory physiotherapy, the statement said, but he will resume noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night that consists of a mask over his nose and mouth to deliver oxygen.
Due to the complexity of the pope’s clinical situation, doctors repeated the “prognosis remains reserved.”
Francis admitted himself to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14, after over two weeks of bronchitis. Doctors found he had a polymicrobial infection causing pneumonia in both lungs and began antibiotic therapy.
While doctors at the hospital offered a press conference at the end of the pope’s first week of treatment, Vatican sources on Tuesday said no press conference is scheduled for the near future. While the pope’s situation is stable for now, sources said, his clinical condition remains critical.
Despite his illness, the 88-year-old pontiff has continued to meet with close collaborators over the past weeks and resumed his work when able. On Tuesday, “he alternated prayer and rest” after receiving the Eucharist in the morning, the statement read.
Francis has canceled many papal events and will not take part in the Ash Wednesday celebration or the Lenten retreat at the Vatican starting on Sunday. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Major Penitentiary, will lead the Lenten celebrations, while the Rev. Roberto Pasolini will offer meditations for the retreat on the theme “the hope for eternal life.” The spiritual exercises will take place “in spiritual communion with the Holy Father,” the Vatican said.
An evening rosary for the pope’s recovery continues every day at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, with faithful and Vatican prelates gathered in prayer. On Tuesday, Cardinal Arthur Roche, who heads the Vatican department for rites and the sacraments, led the prayer service.