ROME (AP) – Pope Francis took part in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat on Tuesday remotely after receiving good news from his doctors. They upgraded his prognosis and say he is no longer at risk of death as a result of a respiratory infection that has been hospitalized for nearly a month with the longest and most serious threat to the Pope of 12 years.
However, the 88-year-old Pope has not yet left the forest. The doctor was still cautious and decided to continue to be hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment, not to mention the period of rehabilitation he may need.
Dr. Carmelo da Acero, an infectious disease expert and geriatric illness expert, said Francis was clearly making slow and gradual progress, but still had not fully recovered. He said it has not yet been seen how and when he will be able to return to the Vatican, and whether supplemental oxygen will be needed to breathe in the future.
“We must not forget that he was hospitalized for a month,” said D’Asero, who is not involved in Francis’ care. He pointed out that the arrival of spring in Rome should be helpful. Francis’ bronchitis usually burns up during the winter.
“We are in the warmer months, and this is certainly a good thing for people suffering from respiratory illnesses,” he said. “I think he’ll be back to work, but he has a small workload and constantly monitored oxygen therapy.”
Francis, who suffers from chronic lung disease, still uses supplementary oxygen during the day and uses a ventilation mask to help with breathing at night.
The Vatican said Francis resumed physical and respiratory physiotherapy on Tuesday, following the Vatican’s week of mental retreat through a third day video conference.
“It made me sad because he seemed unrecovered, so I’m really happy,” said Maria Leticia Salazar, a nun sister who prayed for Francis outside Gemeri Hospital on Tuesday.
This week we will also count Francis’ important anniversary. Tuesday marks the 67th anniversary of his entry into the Jesuit religious order Novitiate, and Thursday marks the 12th anniversary of his election as Pope.
