London and Rome – The Pope “rested well during the night” and woke up shortly after 8 am this morning, his twentieth day in the hospital, since his condition remains stable and his prognosis remains reserved, according to the Vatican.
The Pontiff had needed a medical intervention amid two episodes of “acute respiratory failure” on Monday, sources told Vatican to ABC News.
The Pope had no episodes of respiratory failure or bronchospasm on Tuesday, according to the Vatican.
Pope Francis has remained “alert, cooperating with therapy and oriented,” said the Vatican press office, the Holy See. On Tuesday he underwent “high flow and respiratory physiotherapy oxygenia,” said the Vatican.
He resumed non -invasive mechanical ventilation during the night until Wednesday morning “as planned,” according to the Vatican.
The 88 -year -old Pope was removed from non -invasive mechanical ventilation and resumed to receive supplementary oxygen through a nasal tube, Vatican sources said on Tuesday. He no longer carried a mechanical ventilation mask, a device that pumped oxygen to his lungs, the fountains said.
A drawing with a message that reads “Get Well soon Pope Francis” is placed near the statue of the late Pope John Paul II, outside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted to receive treatment, in Rome, Italy, March 5, 2025.
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On Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is a season of prayer, fasting and 40 -day donation. It concludes with Holy Week, which leads to Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
The Vatican said last week that Cardinal Angelo of Donatis, Major Penitentiary and delegate of the Pope, will replace Pope Francis in Wednesday’s liturgical celebration for Ash Wednesday in Rome.
The Cardinal will read the homily prepared by the Pope and the text will be launched later today, said the Vatican.
Francis, who directed the Catholic Church since 2013, entered the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on February 14 and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The Pontiff had a Broncoospasma attack on Friday, church officials said.