Pope Francis’s health has shown a “slight improvement” but he remains in a critical condition, the Vatican has said.
The Pope, 88, has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since 14 February and is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
In a statement on Monday evening, the Vatican said: “The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical state, show a slight improvement.
“Even today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory crises; some laboratory tests improved.
“Monitoring of mild renal failure is not a cause for concern. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage
“The doctors, considering the complexity of the clinical picture, are prudently not releasing the prognosis yet. In the morning he received the Eucharist, while in the afternoon he resumed work activity.
“In the evening he called the Parish Priest of the Parish of Gaza to express his paternal closeness. Pope Francis thanks all the people of God who have gathered in these days to pray for his health.”
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