Pope Francis continues to improve but it is premature to talk about participation in acts

Pope Francis continues his convalescence in his residence in the Vatican with slight improvements both in motor and respiratory physiotherapy, as well as in speech, after having been discharged last Sunday after 38 days hospitalized for a serious respiratory infection, the Vatican press office reported Friday.

Regarding his participation in the next acts of the calendar, which includes the rites of Holy Week, the Vatican press office said it is «premature.»

Francisco continues these days with pharmacological treatment and physiotherapy, and time has been diminished with oxygen through nasal cannulas and blood tests are within normal.

The source added that, despite the isolation to which he is subjected in his apartments on the second floor of his residence Santa Marta, the Pope is in a good mood.

Keep going every morning to concelebrate Mass in the chapel of his residence, he works a bit with his collaborators and for the moment he has not received visits.

The next Sunday Angelus will also be released in writing as in recent weeks.

The Vatican published on Thursday the next acts of the calendar, which include the rites of Holy Week, but without indicating who will celebrate them, and reported that it will have to see how it improves the health of the Pope in the coming weeks to assess his possible presence, and in what terms, in the rites of Holy Week ».

On whether the Pope can give the blessing ‘Urbi et Orbi’ on Sunday of Resurrection or preside over the canonization of the young Carlo Acutis, on April 27, which are the power of the Pontiffs, the Vatican press office said that «it is premature to put the problem.»

Vatican sources had explained that there was nothing organized for Holy Week, but study a ‘plan B’ to replace Francisco, perhaps with several cardinals in each rite, in one of the most important periods for the Catholic Church, while the Pontiff could participate in some specific moments.

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said that Francisco «perhaps» cannot work «as before» but that ways will be found «so that» in any case I can do it. » EFE