by InTrieste
Pope Francis, in critical condition with double pneumonia, rested well overnight at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, as the 88-year-old pontiff enters his 12th day of hospitalization.
“The Pope rested well, the whole night,” read the brief statement issued by the Holy See press office, offering a measured note of reassurance following days of concern over the pontiff’s health.
On Monday evening, the Vatican indicated that while the pope’s condition remained serious, there were signs of slight improvement. The message was more optimistic than Saturday’s grim bulletin, which detailed a prolonged “respiratory crisis” and the need for blood transfusions.
Francis’s health struggles took on another dimension Sunday when the Vatican disclosed that blood tests had revealed “early, mild renal insufficiency,” though officials stressed that the condition was “currently under control.” The pontiff, they said, remained alert and engaged, but his prognosis remained “guarded.”
Despite the severity of his illness, Pope Francis has continued to work from his hospital suite on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital. On Monday, he held a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, and made a phone call to the parish priest of Gaza, underscoring his commitment to his duties even from his sickbed.
As concern for the pope’s health mounts, thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday night for a prayer vigil led by Cardinal Parolin. The public Rosary service, announced just hours earlier, saw Vatican-based cardinals and members of the Roman Curia joining pilgrims in an outpouring of support for the Holy Father. The prayer vigils are set to continue nightly at 9 p.m., with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presiding over Tuesday evening’s gathering.
Similar displays of devotion have emerged outside Gemelli Hospital, where crowds have assembled to pray for Francis’s recovery. The pope, known for his resilience and humor, is said to be in good spirits despite the challenges he faces.
A further update on his condition is expected Wednesday.
