Vatican: Pope Francis Has Another “Quiet Night”
The pontiff's clinical condition continues to present a complex picture: the Pope has been diagnosed with “bilateral pneumonia”
The Holy See Press Service reported this morning, February 19, that “Pope Francis had a quiet night.” Yesterday afternoon, the pontiff, whose clinical condition remains complicated, underwent a CT scan of the chest as ordered by Vatican doctors and specialists at the Vatican’s Agostino Gemelli clinic. The study revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia requiring further drug therapy. While people around the world are worried about the health of everyone’s beloved Pope Francis, the Vatican continues to receive thousands of messages wishing the Pope a speedy recovery. Children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Agostino Gemelli clinic, sending drawings and letters to the pontiff. “Francis is in good spirits,” the Holy See’s press office said in a statement. “The Pontiff expressed his gratitude for the support during this difficult period and with heartfelt appreciation asked for continued prayers for him.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni (pictured) also said that “the polymicrobial infection, which occurred against the background of bronchiectatic disease and asthmatic bronchitis, required the use of antibiotic therapy with cortisone, which complicates the therapeutic treatment.” Despite this, Pope Francis remains “in good spirits.” The pontiff received the Eucharist in the morning and throughout the day alternated rest with prayer and reading. “He expressed his gratitude for the support during this difficult period and with heartfelt appreciation asked for continued prayers for him,” Bruni reported.
The Italian press reports that we are no longer talking about “not just a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, but bilateral pneumonia – certainly a serious diagnosis for an 88-year-old patient with an already complicated medical condition.” It has also been confirmed that the Pope will not be discharged from the Agostino Gemelli clinic any time soon. Due to his illness, “all events involving him have been canceled – starting with tomorrow’s general audience and continuing through Sunday, when the service for the Jubilee of the Deacons will be conducted by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Dicasteria’s pro-prefect for evangelization and organizer of the Jubilee Year. He was also tasked by the pontiff to carry out the planned ordination of new deacons.” It remains unknown for now whether Pope Francis will be able to say Sunday’s Angelus prayer, and in what format it will take place. Last Sunday, he wrote the text of the prayer, which was later made public.