Pope Francis on Tuesday continued his
respiratory therapy and physiotherapy at Rome's Gemelli
hospital without a mask, taking oxygen via nasal cannula, the
Vatican press office said after he suffered two episodes of
acute respiratory failure Monday.
Earlier in the day, the Vatican said that the 88-year-old
pontiff, who was admitted to the hospital on February 14 and is
being treated for bilateral pneumonia, "slept through the
night".
Vatican sources said that he spent Tuesday morning resting and
praying after Monday's crises.
The Vatican had said on Monday that the respiratory failures
were caused by "a significant accumulation of endobronchial
mucus and consequent bronchospasm".
It said that bronchoscopies were performed to remove the mucus
buildup that caused the episodes and that doctors had resumed
non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
"The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all
times," it said, adding that tests showed that he does not have
an elevated white blood cell count, suggesting he has no new
respiratory infection.
Nevertheless, his clinical condition remains complex, further
respiratory crises are possible and the prognosis remains
"guarded," it said.
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