Pope Francis no longer using ventilators

20/3/2025 6:08

Pope Francis is no

longer using mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night

and his doctors believe he will continue to improve, the Vatican

said on Wednesday, in the latest positive update as the

88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia.



Francis has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital for nearly five

weeks for a severe respiratory infection that has required

evolving treatment.



"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are confirmed to

be improving," said the latest detailed medical update on his

condition.



The pope had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation

overnight during his hospital stay, which involves placing a

mask over the face to help push air into the lungs.



Such ventilation had been "suspended", the statement said.

But it said the pope is still receiving oxygen via a small hose

under his nose.



The pope's doctors believe his infection is under control,

the Vatican press office said shortly after the release of the

latest statement. The pope does not have a fever and his blood

tests are normal, it said.



The pope has been described as being in a stable or

improving condition for two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet

given a timeframe for his discharge, saying his recovery is

going slowly.



Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy

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



He has been receiving both respiratory physiotherapy to help

with his breathing and physical therapy to help with his

mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee

and back pain.



Doctors not involved in Francis' care said the pope is

likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age

and other medical conditions.