Pope Francis turns two weeks in the hospital and exceeds his most critical stage, according to his doctors

Pope Francis has spent another night without news and rests this Friday at the hospital, where he turns two weeks admitted to treat a double pneumonia, while doctors suggest that he has passed the most critical phase of the infection although he is not totally out of danger.

«As in previous days, the night was calm and the Pope is now resting,» the Vatican said first thing in his first part of the health of the 88 -year -old pontiff, hospitalized on February 14 at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

In a medical update the previous night, the Holy See said that the condition of the Pontiff had «continued showing improvement», but its prognosis remained reserved due to a complex clinical picture.

A Vatican official said that Thursday was the second consecutive that did not describe the Pope’s condition as «criticism.»

«Perhaps we can say that the most critical phase has passed,» said the official, who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to talk about the Pope’s health.

The doctors said in their report on Thursday afternoon that Francisco’s clinical state confirmed an improvement. I was alternating the supplementary oxygen of high flow that it received through a nasal tube with a mask, indicating a better respiratory function.

Francisco left his room to go to his nearby private chapel to pray and continued with respiratory physiotherapy and work, the Vatican said.

However, given the complexity of the pulmonary infection of the old potato, the specialists pointed out that «more days of clinical stability are needed» before officially reviewing their prognosis and saying that it is out of danger.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, head of the Vatican Human Development Office, said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa that Francisco was improving, although «slower than we would like.»

The Pontiff has shown constant, although mild improvements, since the respiratory crisis and renal problems of last weekend made fear for their life. Evolution dissipated speculation about imminent death, a resignation or a conclave. Several communications from the Holy See sought to make it clear that the Argentine is still in command of the Vatican.

Thousands pray from several parts of the world

In San Pedro Miles square they meet daily to pray for Francisco’s health. The faithful also come to offer their silent prayers on the outskirts of the Gemelli Hospital, on the outskirts of Rome.

In Mexico City, a few dozen people gathered Thursday night in the Cathedral to ask for Francisco’s recovery.

«He is as part of the family,» said Araceli Gutiérrez, who treasures the moment he saw the pontiff during his trip to the country of almost 100 million Catholics in 2016. «That’s why this concern for him feels.»

María Teresa Sánchez, who was visiting Colombia with her sister, said she has always felt close to Francisco, the first Latin American Pope. «That is like having a relative in the high command, with God,» he added.

In Rome, the Argentine community has also raised prayers for the health of the Pope, which before assuming command of the Catholic Church in 2013, served as archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Doubts about your participation in official events

Due to his health problems, the Pope has had to cancel several acts of his agenda, including several events of the jubilee or Catholic Holy Year.

The Vatican canceled an audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remained to see if the blessing of Sunday at noon for the third consecutive week will be skipped. Nor is it clear if you will participate in Ash Wednesday next week. This begins Lent, which ends with Holy Week and Easter Sunday, which this year is April 20.

In previous years, bronchitis and influenza forced Francisco to limit their participation in the events of Ash Wednesday and Holy Week, which require that it be outdoors, the cold, officiating services, participating in processions and presiding over prayers in the solemn period in which the faithful commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Francisco’s agenda also includes other important events that could maintain if he is well enough. It is expected that on April 27 Canonice to Carlo Acutis, considered the first Millennial Holy and the digital era. The Holy See considers the Italian adolescent, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15, an inspiration for young Catholics.

Another important appointment is commemoration on May 24, 1700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea, the first ecumenical council of Christianity. Before getting sick, Francisco said he hoped to travel to Türkiye to mark the date, although the Vatican had not confirmed the trip.

(With information from Reuters and The Associated Press)

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