Pope Francis has shown slight further improvement as he continues to battle double pneumonia, though doctors emphasized Wednesday that his prognosis remains cautious.
According to a statement, Francis is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help clear fluid from his lungs—the first time the Vatican has confirmed he is receiving such treatment.
The 88-year-old pope has been hospitalized in critical condition since February 14 due to a severe lung infection. Already dealing with chronic lung disease, he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital after his bronchitis worsened. While doctors did not reiterate that he remains in critical condition in their latest update, they maintained that his prognosis is still uncertain.
Despite his condition, Francis resumed work from his hospital room in the afternoon after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. The Vatican also announced his approval of four new bishops and the establishment of a new fundraising initiative to address the Holy See’s ongoing financial challenges. Though the bishop appointments and fundraising plans were likely finalized before his hospitalization, their official announcement highlights that Francis remains actively involved in governance.
Pilgrims Gather at the Hospital
If Francis were to glance out his 10th-floor hospital window, he would see a growing number of well-wishers lighting candles and leaving messages near the statue of St. John Paul II at the hospital entrance. This impromptu pilgrimage site has drawn many, especially church groups in Rome for the Vatican’s Holy Year.
On Wednesday, Bishop Gerardo Villalonga from Menorca, Spain, led a group of 50 pilgrims to the site, expressing their desire to be close to the pope.
“When a family member is ill, it is important to surround them with support. The entire people of God are near the pope,” he said.
As night fell, trumpeter Felice Carella and singer Davide Capuano performed Schubert’s Ave Maria outside his window.
“For me, this is more than just a song; it’s a heartfelt prayer for the pope’s recovery,” Capuano said. “These are difficult days, and I hope the world prays with us.”
Cardinal Re to Lead Prayer Vigil
Meanwhile, the Vatican appointed Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, to lead a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday night. This decision places a key figure in any potential future conclave in the spotlight.
As depicted in the Oscar-nominated film Conclave, the dean plays a crucial role in papal successions, overseeing the funeral of a pope and organizing the conclave to elect a successor. Re, who served as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops from 2000 to 2010, was appointed dean in 2020 and recently had his term extended by Francis despite its expiration.
Prayers from Argentina
Back in Rome, members of the Argentine community gathered for a special Mass led by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome. Reina also celebrated a Mass at Gemelli hospital on Wednesday to pray for Francis’ recovery.
Sister Nilda Trejo, an Argentine nun, noted that Francis has long faced health challenges, particularly with breathing and speaking loudly, which is why she has always prayed for him.
“We knew he often struggled,” she said. “Even at Mass, they always have to turn up the microphone because he has difficulty speaking. But he always spoke to the people—to their hearts.”
