Pope Francis sleeps well as health shows slight improvement

By Vatican News

The Holy See Press Office said on Thursday morning that Pope Francis slept well and spent the first part of the morning resting.

“The Pope slept well during the night and is now resting,” read a brief statement.

After breakfast, the Holy Father continued his treatment while setting in his armchair. He has been informed of the many initiatives to pray for him, and he remains in good spirits.

The Jubilee Audience scheduled for Saturday, March 1, has been cancelled.

On Wednesday evening, the Press Office said the Pope’s health condition had slightly improved over the previous 24 hours.

“The mild kidney insufficiency observed in recent days has subsided,” read a statement. “A chest CT scan carried out [on Tuesday] night showed a normal progression of the lung inflammation. Blood tests conducted [on Wednesday] confirmed the improvement seen [Tuesday].”

Pope Francis remains on high-flow oxygen therapy, but as of Wednesday evening he had not experienced any asthma-like respiratory crises.

According to the Holy See Press Office, his prognosis remains “guarded.”

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, February 14, following a bout of bronchitis, with his doctors later diagnosing bilateral pneumonia.