Pope's health is slowly improving

Casa Santa Marta

Source: Vatican Media Image: Vatican Media

Pope Francis continues to show signs of gradual improvement in his health as he recovers from double pneumonia at Casa Santa Marta. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni said on Friday that the Pope's health is stable, noting he has shown slight improvements in breathing and movement as well as in his speech.

The Pope's medical team is gradually reducing the amount of high-flow oxygen he receives through nasal cannulas during the day, and at night. Blood tests carried out on Wednesday, showed the Pope's haematological parameters are normal.

Pope Francis is continuing to spend his days alternating between therapy, prayer, rest, and some work activity, with all Dicasteries of the Roman Curia sending documents to update him on their activity.

He concelebrates Mass every day in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis has been praying for for those who have been injured, and for "the relief efforts of the firefighters and other emergency personnel" in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires.

On Friday morning, he followed the second Lenten Sermon delivered by Fr Roberto Pasolini, OFMCap, via video link broadcast by Vatican Media.

He also prayed for the many victims of the earthquake which struck Myanmar on Friday. Matteo Bruni said the Holy Father "offered heartfelt prayers for the souls of the deceased and assured his spiritual closeness to all affected by this tragedy."

His thoughts also went to all emergency personnel, whom, he prayed, "may be sustained in their care of the injured and displaced by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance."