Pope Francis is recovering and can sit up for breakfast

Pope Francis is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with double pneumonia, the Vatican announced today (February 20), as Catholic communities around the world continue to pray for him.

Candles with the image of Pope Francis are placed at the foot of the statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 19.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has updated information on Pope Francis' health. Accordingly, the Pope was able to sit up and eat breakfast on February 20 after 6 nights without incident at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

Blood tests on the evening of February 19 showed a “slight improvement” in some inflammatory markers in the 88-year-old pope. The head of the universal church had acute pneumonia in 2023 and is susceptible to respiratory infections in the winter.

What disease was Pope Francis diagnosed with?

On February 19, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni became the first VIP to visit the Bishop of Rome. After a 20-minute visit, Ms. Meloni said the Pope remained extremely optimistic and maintained his usual sense of humor.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized since February 14 when his bronchitis worsened, making it difficult for him to breathe. On February 18, his medical team diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs, in addition to a secondary respiratory infection.

The Pope was treated with a combination of antibiotics and cortisone for bronchitis caused by asthma.

AP quoted doctors as saying that pneumonia in elderly patients with a history of lung disease like Pope Francis is prone to complications because it is difficult to effectively remove fluid from his lungs.

While the Pope's heart is still good, he is not a healthy old man at 88. The Holy Father is not used to physical activity because he is confined to a wheelchair due to knee pain. Part of his lung was also surgically removed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-hoang-francis-dang-hoi-phuc-da-co-the-ngoi-day-an-sang-185250220162243632.htm