LAST UPDATE | 26 Feb

POPE FRANCIS’S “CLINICAL conditions have shown a further, slight improvement”, the Vatican has said in an update this evening. 

It added that the “mild kidney issues” Francis was suffering have been “resolved”.

Meanwhile, the chest CAT scan performed yesterday evening has “showed a normal evolution of the pulmonary inflammation picture”, according to the Vatican.

Francis’s blood tests also show improvement, though he is continuing “high-flow oxygen therapy”.

However, he has not experienced any asthma-like respiratory “crises” and respiratory physiotherapy is ongoing.

Despite this, the Vatican said that the “prognosis remains reserved”.

The 88-year-old has been battling pneumonia in both lungs and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February with breathing difficulties, after which his condition deteriorated.

After suffering respiratory attacks at the weekend that required high levels of oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican has said the pope’s condition has stabilised, but he remains in a critical condition.

The pontiff, now in his 13th day at the hospital, is “sitting in a chair, and continuing with the treatment as normal” today, a Vatican source told AFP.

Francis received the Eucharist this morning and the afternoon was “dedicated to work activities”, according to the Vatican.

A medical bulletin yesterday evening said the Argentine pontiff’s “clinical condition remains critical but stable”.

“There have been no acute respiratory episodes and haemodynamic parameters continue to be stable,” the Vatican said, referring to measurements such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Catholics have been flocking to the Vatican and the Gemelli to pray for Francis, and another rosary will be said for Francis in St Peter’s Square this evening.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s only Catholic parish has thanked Francis for his support and has wished him well.

Since October 9, 2023, two days after the bombings began in Gaza, Francis has been in daily contact with the Holy Family Church, bar a few days recently due to his hospitalisation.

It is the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip and located in the northern part of Gaza City.

The nightly calls take place via WhatsApp at 8pm local time in Gaza.

With reporting by AFP