Pope Francis's condition was stable on
the 24th day of his stay at Rome's Gemelli hospital and the
picture remains complex, Vatican sources said on Sunday.
The sources said the Vatican press office will not release an
official update on Sunday on the condition of the 88-year-old
Argentine pontiff, who is being treated for bilateral pneumonia.
The Vatican said in its latest medical bulletin on Saturday that
his condition has improved slightly.
Francis thanked the health workers treating him at Gemelli in
his Angelus message on Sunday, while reiterating his call for
peace in the world's war zones.
As on previous Sundays since the pope was admitted to hospital
on February 14, the Angelus was released by the Vatican without
Francis reading it out.
"Brothers and sisters, during my prolonged hospitalization here,
I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the
tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and
healthcare workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart,"
the Angelus message read.
"And while I am here, I think of the many people who in various
ways are close to the sick, and who are for them a sign of the
Lord's presence.
"We need this, the 'miracle of tenderness', which accompanies
those who are in adversity, bringing a little light into the
night of pain.
"I would like to thank all those who are showing their closeness
to me in prayer: heartfelt thanks to you all! I pray for you
too...
"Together let us continue to invoke the gift of peace, in
particular in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon,
Myanmar, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"In particular, I have learned with concern of the resumption of
violence in some areas of Syria: I hope that they cease
definitively, with full respect for all ethnic and religious
components of society, especially civilians".
Earlier on Sunday the Vatican Press Office said the pope had
another quiet night in hospital. It said that he continued
pharmacological treatments and respiratory and motor
physiotherapy on Sunday.
It said that he alternates between non-invasive mechanical
ventilation at night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day
via nasal cannula.
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