Pope Francis hospital stay at the Policlinico Gemelli is being extended. The Pope has been hospitalised since last Friday after a flare-up of bronchitis and the onset of a respiratory tract infection.
In fact, medical tests revealed a “complex clinical picture” and a “polymicrobial” origin of the infection, which – although the Pope is still fever-free – recommend a remodulation of the ongoing therapy, as well as a longer hospital stay than previously thought.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and today have demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract that has led to a further change in therapy,” the Vatican Press Office announced yesterday morning. “All the tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require adequate hospitalisation,” it added. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stressed, however, that “the Pope’s mood is good.”
Francis also “rested well, spent a peaceful night”, and after breakfast “devoted himself to reading the newspapers”. In the evening, it was then communicated that “the Holy Father continues to be afebrile and is continuing the prescribed therapy. His clinical conditions are stationary”.
On Monday morning “he received the Eucharist and then devoted himself to some work activities and reading texts”. The Pope “is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours”. In particular “he intends to express his thanks to those who are currently hospitalised, for the affection and love that they express through their drawings and good wishes; he prays for them and asks that they pray for him”.
Cancelled appointments in the coming week
The first consequences of the new diagnostic and therapeutic developments are that the Pope’s agenda for the next few days has been immediately revised: the general audience of Wednesday 19 February has been cancelled, while Francis will not be at the mass in the Vatican Basilica on Sunday 23 for the Jubilee of Deacons.
As for other subsequent commitments, in the busy Jubilee schedule, nothing has been decided at the moment. In fact, it is necessary for the therapies to give their results and for the infection to have its course until it is completely exhausted, before thinking about a return of the Pontiff to the Vatican and to his residence of Casa Santa Marta, in addition to his daily appointments. Bergoglio, however, also from his “room of the Popes” on the tenth floor of the University Hospital, continues to carry out ordinary administration. Today, for example, he appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Grajaú (Brazil) the Reverend Giuseppe Luigi Spiga, of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Cagliari, a ‘fidei donum’ missionary in the South American country.
In the meantime, the Pope has continued to make his daily call to the Holy Family parish in Gaza these days. “The Pope called us on Friday and Saturday, he was in a good mood, his voice a little tired, but he wanted to know how we are. A collaborator passed him the phone and he was able to speak with us. Yesterday [Sunday], however, he rested and we knew he would not call,” one of the parish leaders told Tgcom24.
