ROME — Pope Francis is on the mend after his recent bout with pneumonia. On Thursday, the Vatican reported that the 88-year-old pontiff enjoyed breakfast in bed, marking a sixth restful night in the hospital.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni provided an update, announcing that blood tests revealed a “slight improvement” in some areas of inflammation. The pope had been diagnosed with acute pneumonia and is especially vulnerable to respiratory issues during the winter months.
On Wednesday, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni made a special visit to Pope Francis, becoming his first notable visitor since he was hospitalized. Following their 20-minute meeting, she shared that the pope was in good spirits and “joked around as always.”
Pope Francis had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after dealing with worsening bronchitis. Doctors later confirmed that he was experiencing pneumonia in both lungs coupled with a polymicrobial infection. His treatment includes various antibiotics and cortisone, especially since he also has asthmatic bronchitis.
Experts note that for someone of Francis’s age and condition, pneumonia carries a risk of complications due to the difficulty in clearing fluid from his lungs. While his heart remains strong, the pope faces several health challenges. He is largely inactive, relies on a wheelchair due to knee issues, and has previously had part of a lung removed. Despite his past reluctance to fully cooperate during treatment, his resilience continues to shine through.
