Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, is in a stable condition and has shown “slight improvement” in results from recent blood tests, the Vatican said yesterday.
The 88-year-old pontiff is undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14 after struggling with breathing difficulties for several days.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are stable,” said a brief Vatican statement. “Blood tests ... show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers.”
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs and makes breathing more difficult.
Pope Francis received a visit earlier in the day from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said he was “alert and responsive,” and had made jokes with her.
“He hasn’t lost his proverbial sense of humour,” said Meloni, the Pope’s first known visitor in hospital.
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