Pope Francis's health is stable amid 'slight gradual improvements' but his sitaution remains 'complex', the Vatican has said.
The 88-year-old Pope is still in Gemelli Hospital receiving treatment for double pneumonia, but he followed along via video call to the Vatican's service marking the first Sunday of Lent.
He continued his respiratory therapy and motor physiotherapy and is now eating solid foods as part of his prescribed diet.
In a recent statement, the Vatican assured the public of the Pope's gradually improving health, with no significant changes in the last few days.
However, it said: 'The overall situation remains complex, prompting doctors to maintain a guarded prognosis.'
Yesterday, his doctors said Francis is responding well to his treatment, showing a 'gradual, slight improvement'.
It marked the first report of a positive response from Francis since he was hospitalised on February 14.
Now entering the fourth week of his hospitalisation, he is in a 'stable' condition.
Pope Francis's health remains stable amid 'slight gradual improvements', the Vatican has said (pictured in August 2023)
People pray for Pope Francis' health at Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on March 7
A girl lights a candle for Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome on Friday
Earlier today he released the text of his Angelus address, in which he thanked the doctors and nurses caring for him.
'During my prolonged hospitalization here, I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and healthcare workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart,' he said.
The pontiff, who has chronic lung disease, has remained stable with no fever and good blood oxygen levels for several days.
His doctors said that such stability 'testifies to a good response to therapy.'
'In order to record these initial improvements in the coming days as well, his doctors have prudently maintained the prognosis as guarded,' a Vatican statement said.
'The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, indicates a good response to the treatment.'
Francis has been using high flows of supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.
He has not been seen in public since entering hospital and his doctors have not said how long the treatment might last.
Doctors not involved in Francis's care have said the Pope is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other long-standing medical conditions.
Francis has experienced over the last two years and had part of one lung removed as a young man.
He was initially hospitalized on Valentine's Day for a bad case of bronchitis.
The infection then progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined the Pope for the longest period of his 12-year papacy.
Timeline of the Pope's hospitalisation
February 14
Pope Francis is hospitalized with bronchitis and a slight fever immediately following a morning of audiences.
Doctors diagnose respiratory tract infection. Two subsequent events in the following days are canceled, and a cardinal is slotted in for the pope to celebrate a Sunday Jubilee Mass.
February 15
Francis' fever breaks while respiratory infection continues. Doctors order 'absolute rest.' Delivery of traditional noon blessing for Sunday is canceled.
February 16
Condition stable (stationary), pope follows Mass on television.
February 17
Pope Francis is diagnosed with polymicrobial (bacterial, viral and fungal) infection in the respiratory passages, marking a setback.
Treatment adjusted. Wednesday general audience canceled.
February 18
Chest scan indicates Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, marking another setback.
Cortisone and antibiotic treatments are confirmed. Jubilee audience on Saturday is canceled.
February 19
Condition stable with blood exams indicating levels of inflammation improving. Premier Giorgia Meloni visits, first known outside visitor.
February 20
Pope's condition improves slightly.
February 21
Pope's doctors say at a news conference that the pope remains in critical condition and isn't out of danger, but that his condition isn't imminently life-threatening.
Doctors say the pope has developed steroid-induced diabetes that is being treated. Warn of sepsis risk. Prognosis is guarded.
February 22
Pope in critical condition after experiencing a respiratory crisis and requires high-pressure oxygen through nasal tubes, in the first mention of assisted breathing.
Francis also receives two blood transfusions after tests show signs of anemia and low platelet count that later are resolved. Setback.
February 23
Doctors report that the pope has gone into onset of slight kidney failure, in a setback. No repeat of the respiratory crisis, but he remains in critical condition.
February 24
Doctors report slight improvement. No crises. Mild renal failure isn't causing concern.
February 25
Condition remains critical, but stable. No acute respiratory episodes. Underwent chest scan to monitor double pneumonia. Prognosis remains reserved.
February 26
The mild renal failure has regressed, in an improvement. Continues to receive oxygen through nasal tubes, and undergoes respiratory physiotherapy.
Doctors no longer refer to condition being critical, but repeat prognosis is guarded.
February 27
Doctors say a chest CT scan taken a day earlier shows the 'normal evolution' of pneumonia infection as it's being treated. Again no reference to critical condition.
February 28
Pope suffers isolated coughing spasm during which he inhaled vomit, in a setback requiring noninvasive aspiration to remove.
Responded well. Placed on a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to pump supplemental oxygen into his lungs. Prognosis remains guarded.
March 1
Condition stable after respiratory crisis. Pope alternates noninvasive mechanic ventilation mask with long periods of nasal tube with high flows of supplemental oxygen.
March 2
Condition stable. No need for noninvasive mechanical ventilation, just the nasal tube high pressure oxygen therapy. Pope participated in Mass.
March 3
Two acute bronchospasm episodes in a setback requiring bronchoscopies, or a camera-tipped tube with a device to remove mucus plugs, yielding abundant secretions.
Restarted the noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Pope remained alert, oriented and collaborative during maneuvers. Prognosis remains guarded.
March 4
Stable condition with no crises. Pope is alternating high-flow delivery of oxygen through nasal tubes by day to noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask delivery by night.
March 5
Stable condition with no incidences of respiratory crisis. Physical therapy added to the course of respiratory therapy.
Spent the day in an armchair working, including a call to the parish priest of Gaza.
March 6
Stable condition with no incidences of respiratory crisis. Physical therapy and respiratory therapy continue, work alternating with rest and prayer.
Pope records an audio message that is broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter's Square thanking them for their prayers.
His voice is weak and he's out of breath.
March 7
Stable condition, continuing respiratory therapy.
March 8
Doctors say continued stability shows Francis is responding well to treatment and showing 'gradual, slight improvement.' Prognosis remains guarded.
March 9
Pope Francis continues to gradually improve and remains in a 'stable' condition in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office on Sunday evening.
