Pope Francis, who has been battling double pneumonia for nearly three weeks, experienced a restful night in the hospital, according to a statement from the Vatican on Wednesday.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 due to a severe respiratory infection that has necessitated ongoing adjustments to his treatment plan.
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that Francis would be placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight to assist with his breathing, highlighting the challenges he continues to face in recovering from this serious illness.
“The pope rested well during the night,” the Vatican reported on Wednesday, noting that he awoke shortly after 8:00 a.m. (0700 GMT). Typically, the pontiff begins his day well before dawn when in good health.
On Monday, Francis experienced two episodes of “acute respiratory insufficiency,” but Tuesday’s health update was more positive, indicating that he remained stable throughout the day without any new breathing issues.
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Nevertheless, his medical team reiterated that his prognosis remains “guarded,” indicating that he is not yet out of danger.
Since his hospitalization, the pope has not made any public appearances, marking the longest absence of his papacy, which began 12 years ago. His doctors have not provided an estimate for the duration of his treatment.