The Pope’s condition is showing a “further, slight improvement”, the Vatican has said.
In its latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff, the Vatican said a mild kidney insufficiency that had developed days ago has now receded.
It stressed, however, that, “although there is a slight improvement, the prognosis remains reserved”.
The Pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February and is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
A CT chest scan taken on Tuesday evening showed the “normal evolution” of pneumonia as it is being treated. Blood tests have confirmed an improvement.
Over the weekend, the pontiff suffered a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that required a high flow of oxygen
The Vatican said in its latest bulletin that the Pope was continuing the high-flow oxygen therapy – but added that “today too he has not presented asthmatic respiratory crises”.
Thousands of people have gathered in St Peter’s Square for the past few evenings to pray for the Pope’s recovery.
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