POPE Francis called the parish priest of Gaza despite being hospitalised with severe health issues.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church phoned Father Gabriel Romanelli from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he is being treated for pneumonia, bronchitis and kidney problems.
The Pope has been hospitalised since Friday, February 14. and has shown a “slight improvement” according to the Holy See Press Office.
In a statement reported by the state organ Vatican News, the Holy See described Francis’s condition as poor but improving.
The statement said: “No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred today, 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.
“Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the doctors are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis.”
The statement, issued on Monday, said that the Pope has been working from hospital and took the Eucharist in the morning.
It added: “In the evening, he called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness.”
The Holy Family parish in Gaza had sent a video to the Pope, who had rang to thank them.
The Pope has been in contact with the Catholic congregation in Gaza throughout his hospitalisation.
He also maintained constant contact with the priest during Israel's bombardment of Gaza, telling CBS News last year the conditions there were "very tough".
Last week, The Catholic Herald reported that Pope Francis had called the Palestinian parish on the first two nights he had been admitted to hospital.
Romanelli told the publication: “He asked us how we were doing, how the situation was, and he sent us his blessing.”
The 88-year-old Pope is missing part of one lung and is especially susceptible to respiratory illness and was admitted to hospital after fighting bronchitis for nearly two weeks, leaving him breathless.
The Vatican said on Sunday he had not suffered any more “respiratory crises” since the previous evening but had developed an “initial, mild” problem with his kidneys.
