Pope's condition 'critical but stable'

Gemelli Hospital - Image Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

On Tuesday evening the Vatican press office stated: "The Holy Father's clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable. In the evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to radiologically monitor the bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains cautious. In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities."

On Tuesday morning, the Holy See Press Office said Pope Francis "rested well throughout the night and continues his therapy."

On Monday, the Pope met at the hospital with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Peña Parra, to sign several decrees related to causes for sainthood that were promulgated on Tuesday.

The Press Office also noted that Pope Francis had received the Holy Eucharist on Monday morning, and in the afternoon, he continued his work.

The Pope also made his usual call to the parish priest of Holy Family parish in Gaza "to express his paternal closeness to the people there." Vatican Media report that Gaza parishioners had sent a video message to the Pope, for which he thanked them during his phone call.

The Monday evening update expressed the Pope's gratitude "to the entire People of God, who in these days have gathered to pray for his health."

A statement Monday evening noted that, despite the severity of the Pope's condition, he has shown slight improvement. "No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred [Monday], and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels."

That statement also said doctors are maintaining a "cautious" prognosis "given the complexity of the clinical picture."