Pope Francis, who is in hospital with pneumonia and “mild” kidney failure, remains in a critical condition although there was a “slight improvement” on Monday, the Vatican said.
The pontiff, 88, has not had any further asthma-style attacks and “some laboratory tests have improved”, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday evening.
The “mild renal insufficiency” diagnosed on Sunday “is not of concern”, while oxygen therapy continues. However, his prognosis remained guarded.
Francis, who has been eating normally, received a video on Monday from the Holy Family church in Gaza and then called the parish, a daily routine maintained since 9 October 2023.
He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 14 February and was subsequently diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection, pneumonia in both lungs and a mild renal insufficiency.
A statement that evening said the pope was also receiving “high-flow oxygen therapy” through a nasal cannula, but continued to remain “vigilant and well orientated”.
The world’s press has gathered at St Peter’s Square, where large electric billboards with a black background are publicising prayers for the pope’s health that will be held on Monday night. The event will be led by Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.
Francis had been showing signs of improvement until Saturday, when he was given supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions for a low platelet count after a prolonged asthma-style attack.
On Friday, doctors said the pope was not “not yet out of danger” and that he was expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.
They said the main threat facing Francis would be the onset of sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.
Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli hospital, said on Friday that the pontiff was taking a “significant” medication load and would not be discharged until he was fully out of the woods, because if he returned home, he would just start working again. “We need to focus on getting through this phase … the pope is not a person who gives up.”
He said Francis knew he “was in danger, and he told us to relay that”.
In a message published in lieu of his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer, which the pope normally delivers from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square, Francis thanked medical staff. “I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment – and rest is also part of the therapy!” he said.
Vigils have been held outside the Gemelli, which has long been the preferred hospital for pontiffs. Well-wishers have also gathered in St Peter’s Square.
“I’m sorry Pope Francis is not well,” said Stanley, a visitor from El Salvador, as he photographed the billboard message. “He’s a good person and very lovable. I say that as a non-Catholic – he’s a person who I respect.”
Pierre, from France, said: “He’s 88 so would be at risk but I hope he gets through this. I think he’s a good pope, and has been a fairly modern one even if the Catholic church still has a long way to go with modernising.”
Jim, from the US, said the pontiff was “one of the most important leaders in the whole world. In my view, he is probably the most important leader – we need him and I really hope that he lives.”
The pope has maintained a punishing work schedule, despite increasing health issues, and especially because it is the Catholic jubilee year. Last September, he carried out a mammoth 12-day tour to the Asia Pacific, one of the few places in the world where the Catholic church is growing in terms of baptised faithful and religious vocations.
