Pope Francis remains stable

13/3/2025 6:04

Pope Francis remains

stable in hospital and a recent chest scan confirmed

improvements in his condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in

a further sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles

double pneumonia.



Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February

14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required

evolving treatment.



In its latest medical update, the Vatican said the pope's

clinical condition was stable. It said a chest X-ray performed

on Tuesday had "confirmed improvements observed in previous

days".



Francis has been described as in a stable or improving

condition for more than a week, but the Vatican has not given a

timeframe for his discharge from hospital.



His doctors said on Monday that he was



no longer in immediate danger



of death, after three weeks of treatment that included four

acute respiratory crises for the pontiff.



Francis is prone to lung infections because he had

pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.



The pope, who has been receiving oxygen throughout his

stay in hospital, has been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy

to help with his breathing.



He has also continued with physical therapy to help with

mobility. Francis has used a wheelchair in recent years due to

knee and back pain.



Francis, who will celebrate the



12th anniversary



of his 2013 election as pope on Thursday, has not been seen

in public since entering hospital, the longest such absence of

his papacy.



Doctors not involved in Francis' care have said the pope

is likely to face



a long, fraught road to recovery



, given his age and other medical conditions.



The Vatican has not released any images of Francis in

hospital, but the pope did record



a brief audio message



to thank well-wishers on March 6.