Pope Francis on Monday resumed his
therapies for pneumonia amid a slight improvement in his
condition and followed Lenten spiritual exercises from his room
in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican press office said.
Francis, in his room at the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli,
resumed his therapies Monday morning, both pharmacological and
respiratory and motor physiotherapy, it said.
In addition, sitting in an armchair, the 88-year-old Argentine
pontiff followed the spiritual exercises with the Roman Curia on
video, in connection with the Paul VI Hall.
The administration of oxygen also continues, during the day at
high flows with nasal cannulas, during the night with mechanical
ventilation and a mask.
On Monday afternoon there should be a new bulletin with updates
from the medical team, after the one from two days ago, the
press office said.
In the afternoon, the pope will be able to continue to follow
the Lenten spiritual exercises "in communion" with the Curia on
video: from the Paul VI Hall, however, they cannot see the
pontiff, since there is no screen.
Later Monday, the live broadcast of the spiritual exercises can
be seen on Vatican channels at 5:00 p.m., with a meditation by
the preacher of the Papal Household, Fra Roberto Pasolini, as
well as the subsequent Rosary for the Pope's health at 6:00
p.m., again in the Paul VI Hall and led today by Cardinal Kevin
Farrell, Prefect for the Laity, Family and Life.
The Rosary can also be followed on screens in St. Peter's
Square.
As for the pope's future return to his Santa Marta residence in
the Vatican, Vatican sources urged people to "wait for the
doctors to release the prognosis. Up to now, the prognosis is
guarded, so it is a bit early to talk about it".
Continuing the current "stable picture" of the pope's
conditions, even with "the persistent openness to critical
issues", "it is conceivable that the bulletin will be issued
every two days, as has been happening lately", barring any
changes in the situation and important news of the day that need
to be communicated, the Vatican sources say.
As for his diet, the pope also eats "solid foods".
And regarding the two anniversaries regarding Francis this week
- Tuesday, March 11, his entry into the Society of Jesus and
Thursday, the 13th, the anniversary of his election as Pope -
"it will be necessary to see what life in hospital allows", the
Vatican sources caution.
Another anniversary will be March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph,
the anniversary of the inauguration mass and therefore of the
pontificate.
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