Pope Francis showed slight improvements as he fought pneumonia on Wednesday and received a visit from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni said he would like to express his wishes to Francis on behalf of the Italian government and the country. She spent 20 minutes with the Pope, the Vatican said.
“We were joking as usual. He hasn't lost any proverbs of humor,” she said in a statement.
Pope Francis begins his Holy Year at the Vatican, with over 32 million visitors expected
Pope Francis holds his Homily among the weekly general audience at Paul VI's Hall on February 12, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican. (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Beyond his team, Meloni is the first outsider to visit Francis since being admitted to the hospital at Gemeri Hospital in Rome. Popes has its own suite on the 10th floor.
Francis showed slight improvements Wednesday, the Vatican said.
The Holy Father's clinical status is stable, the Vatican said in a statement. “Blood tests assessed by medical staff show slight improvements, particularly in the inflammation indicators.”
Pope Francis was injured as the Vatican confirmed a second decline in weeks of problems
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is located in the courtyard of Chigi Palace. Rome (Italy), July 25th, 2024. (Massimo di Vita/Archivio Massimo Di Vita/Mondadori Portfolio
After breakfast, Francis read several newspapers and then devoted himself to working activities with his closest collaborators. Before lunch he received the Eucharist.
On Wednesday, the pastor of Francis in Rome urged his followers to pray quietly for the Pope for the Pope before his evening service of Vesper.
Several visitors to the hospital illuminated the candles in his honor.
“I think a lot of people are disappointed, but more importantly, I think we really have to pray for his health,” said Charlene, a nun sister from Singapore. I did.
Pope Francis will give a speech on Wednesday, May 25th among the general audience each week at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (AP/Andrew Medichini)
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The Pope is not accustomed to the health struggle. At age 21, he developed pneumonia and then removed some of his lungs. This is inflammation of the membrane that relieves the lungs.
Pope Francis has struggled with multiple health wars over the past few years, including surgeries in 2021 and 2023 and long-standing knee problems with wheelchairs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
