Pope Francis is back home after staying a night in the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome for a respiratory infection.
Per ABC News, a statement (translated into English) given by Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, stated that Francis’ condition has “progressively improved”.
“The clinical picture is progressively improving, and the planned treatments continue,” Bruni said in the statement. “This morning after having breakfast, he read some newspapers and went back to work. Before lunch he went to the little chapel of the private apartment, where he gathered in prayer and received the Eucharist.”
On Wednesday, the 86-year-old bishop of Rome was admitted to the hospital because of “previously planned tests”, but it was later revealed that the Pope had been complaining for several days about non-COVID-19-related respiratory issues.
“In recent days, Pope Francis complained of some respiratory difficulties and this afternoon he went to the Gemelli [hospital] for some medical checks,” a statement from the Vatican on Wednesday read. “The outcome of these showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid 19 infection) that will require several days of appropriate hospital medical treatment.”
Both President Joe Biden and Archbishop Timothy Broglio sent prayers to the Pope for a speedy recovery.
Francis hasn’t needed hospital treatment since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery.
Pope Hospitalized With Respiratory Infection; Reports Say He’s “Gradually Improving”
“In what is the busiest and holiest week of the year for Catholics, the pope is currently scheduled to celebrate at least seven public liturgies over the next 10 days,” NCR wrote.
Although it’s unclear whether the Pope will be as present as he’s scheduled to be in the upcoming weeks, it seems he is doing okay, giving a statement of gratitude and reassurance on his Twitter account Thursday morning.
“I am touched by the many messages received in these hours,” he wrote, “and I express my gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-francis-hospital-respiratory-infection/story?id=98213196
