Pope Francis gave him in the form of writing his Sunday blessing while he was staying in the hospital. The Vatican previously confirmed that he “still rests after a peaceful night” as he continues to recover from dual pneumonia.
Francis spoke faithfully to his blessing, writing, “I'm still sending these thoughts out of the hospital.” There, he has been undergoing treatment since February 14th after the bronchitis match worsened and turned into complex pneumonia in both lungs.
“In my mind, I feel the “blessing” hidden in my weakness. Because it is precisely at this very moment that we learn more to trust in the Lord. At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share the body and mind of so many illnesses and suffering conditions,” the Pope wrote.
“I would like to thank you for your prayers. It stands up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful people from many parts of the world. I feel all your love and intimacy.
JD Vance shares a special message to the sick Pope Francis amid the respiratory crisis
Pope Francis will wave waves from the central loggia of St. Peter's Cathedral at the Vatican on March 31, 2024, in the message of Easter's “Arbiet Orbi” and blessings on the city and the world as part of the celebration of Holy Week. (Tigiana Fabi/Pool/AFP/Getty)
Francis concluded the blessing by writing that he prayed for peace with a faithful man, adding that in his present state, the war of the world seemed meaningless.
“From here, the war seems even more ridiculous. Let us pray for the tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu,” he wrote.
The Vatican said Saturday that Francis' condition remains stable with respiratory physiotherapy, alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplementary high flow oxygenation with a good response to gas exchange.
He had no signs of fever or rising white blood cells.
Doctors on Saturday reported that Francis was in a stable state and that he had once again continued to improve, without mentioning that he was critical. Their bright review was the day after the respiratory crisis, the day after he was subjected to non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
However, the doctor was cautious and protected his prognosis. In other words, he was not out of danger. He was eating and drinking, continuing his respiratory physiotherapy and spent 20 minutes in his private chapel on Saturday, down the hall, the Vatican said.
The nun prays for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelipoli Clinic, who has been hospitalized in Rome since February 14th on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The 88-year-old Pope had a “good response” at his gas exchange level, even for a “long period.” He is removed from the ventilator mask and uses only high flow supplementary oxygen, the Vatican said.
In a row over the third weekend, Francis cancelled his appointment to deliver Angelus' prayers at noon on Sunday.
Pope Francis' slight kidney deficiency retreated as he fought pneumonia, the Vatican says
The Pope, who removed a portion of one lung as a young man, suffered from lung disease and was found by Gemeri on February 14th, causing the bronchiitis match to worsen and transformed into complex pneumonia in both lungs.
On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, a woman takes a photo when it rains at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Francis' hospitalization marks the Holy Year by the Vatican, welcoming pilgrims all the way to Rome. They walk through the sacred door of St. Peter's Cathedral and also make a pilgrimage to the Umbrian town of Assisi on the hill to pray at the house of Francis's name.
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Francis was believed to have hosted the Holy Year audience at the Vatican auditorium on Saturday for staff at Gemeri Hospital and other healthcare workers. They came as planned and completed the pilgrimage, and Francis continued his recovery in the hospital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
