The Pope is not out of danger, Vatican sources have said, with his prognosis still unclear – but he has had coffee this morning.
In an update on Saturday morning, Vatican sources said the 88-year-old had woken up and was still wearing a non-invasive ventilation mask.
However, despite the seeming improvement, they stressed he is not out of danger, and his clinical conditions are just as complex as they were at the beginning of his health crisis two weeks ago.
In a brief update on Saturday morning, Vatican sources said: “The night has passed quietly, the Pope is resting.”
Sources confirmed the Pope had some coffee on Saturday morning, and can still eat solid food. Asked if he had actually eaten, there was no answer.
And asked if, during yesterday’s crisis, the Pope underwent an invasive treatment, the Vatican source replied: “It is possible.”
The Pope previously had an “isolated” breathing crisis as he was treated in hospital for double pneumonia.
An isolated coughing fit, also described as a bronchial spasm, caused the pontiff to vomit and forced him to use an oxygen mask on his nose and mouth for the first time, the Vatican said.
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But he breathed in some of the vomit, leading to “a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition”.
Francis, who has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for a fortnight, was promptly aspirated, the Vatican said, and given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, to which he “responded well”.
He remained conscious and alert at all times, a spokesperson said.
Vatican sources admitted Friday had been “a hard day” but said the crisis, which started around 2pm local time, was resolved in the afternoon.
The incident contrasts with the upbeat assessment given earlier on Friday, when the Vatican said the pontiff’s doctors reported he may be over the most critical phase of his pneumonia infection. It was the second day in a row where consultants avoided saying he was in a critical condition.
The Pope had part of one lung removed as a young child, and was first admitted to hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into pneumonia in both lungs.
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Vatican officials have made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still has a long road ahead.
But on Friday, the Vatican published a document signed by Francis on 26 February as “From the Gemelli Polyclinic”, a new official tagline that showed Francis was still working from the hospital.
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Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter in April.
The Vatican cancelled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remains to be seen if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row.
