Pope Francis is grateful for the “miracle of kindness” that provides sick people from hospital beds to medical staff and volunteers as they continue to recover from pneumonia.
After more than three weeks in the hospital, the 88-year-old Pope responded well to treatment, showing recent “gradual and slight improvements,” doctors said.
On the fourth Sunday in a row, Francis did not appear for his weekly noon blessing, but the Vatican distributed texts he would have provided if he had enough. In it, he thanked all the people who were caring for him, as well as others who were experiencing “nights of pain” due to illness.
“My brothers and sisters will experience the kindness of service and the kindness of care during their hospitalization here, especially from doctors and healthcare professionals who I am truly grateful for,” read a message issued by Gemeri Hospital in Rome.
“And while I am here, I am approaching the sick in many ways, and consider many people for them who are the signs of the Lord's existence. It is necessary to have the “miracle of kindness” that comes with those in adversity, bringing a little light to the night of pain,” he wrote.
Francis, who suffers from chronic lung disease and had removed a portion of one of his lungs as a young man, reported that he had no fever and good oxygen levels for several days, and remained stable in a Vatican statement on Saturday.
The doctor said he testified that the Pope's condition was a “good response to treatment.” It was the first time they reported that Francis was actively responding to treatment of a complex pulmonary infection diagnosed after being admitted to the hospital on February 14th.
However, they maintained his prognosis as “protected.” In other words, he was not out of danger. On Sunday morning, the Vatican reported that Francis was resting after a quiet night.
In his absence, the daily Vatican operations continued with the celebration of the Holy Year. This is a quarter-century jubilee that brings millions of pilgrims to Rome. On Sunday, Canada's Cardinal Michael Cherney near Francis celebrated the Holy Year of Volunteers led by the Pope.
During the Mass at St. Peter's Square, a giant banner carrying the coat of arms of Francis flaped from the cathedral loggia above. Even while in the hospital, Argentine clergyman is in charge of the Catholic Church.
