Today, March 19, was a positive day for Pope Francis according to the latest medical report from his doctors in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which the Vatican released at 7 p.m. this evening.
It confirmed that his clinical condition continues to improve as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Importantly, too, it said “he has suspended the non-invasive mechanical ventilation” at night, and “also reduced the need for high-flow oxygen therapy” by day. This means that he no longer receives oxygen at night, whereas for the past two weeks or more he had to wear a mask over his nose and mouth each night to receive oxygen. Moreover, the doctors report that “the need for high-flow oxygen by day has also been reduced.” He receives the high-flow oxygen through nasal tubes.
The doctors also report that “progress in motor and respiratory physiotherapy continues.”
They concluded by reporting that “Pope Francis concelebrated Mass this morning, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph.”
The Vatican press office added that “[h]is doctors said the infection of the lungs is under control, even if not yet totally eliminated. The values of the chemical analyses are within the norm. The pope does not have a fever.”
It said Pope Francis spent the day—his 34th in the Gemelli Hospital—“between therapies, prayer and doing some work.”
Furthermore, it said, “no decision has yet been taken regarding the pope’s participation in the rites of Holy Week.” This was probably in response to a report in the Italian press that claimed the pope would not participate in the Holy Week ceremonies and would be replaced by various cardinals which it named.
“Given the stable condition of the pope,” the Vatican said the next medical update from his doctors will not be issued until next week, but the Vatican press office will continue to provide updates to journalists on Thursday, Friday and next Monday evenings.
Dr. Anna Lisa Bilotta, who works at the Salvator Mundi international hospital in Rome and is not treating the pope, read the medical report and told America: “Today is a very positive day [for Pope Francis].” She noted that “the medical report is brief and very general, and while it does not give the other parameters, nevertheless it says that everything is improving. He does not receive oxygen at night through non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and the high-flow oxygen by day has been reduced.”
She said, “We have to wait until the pope returns to being totally autonomous in breathing, but everything suggests that we are on the right road.” But, she added, “We don’t know if the doctors will discharge him without dependence on oxygen, we have to wait and see. But we can see that everything is improving, so we are hopeful. In all, it is a very positive day for him.”
Exactly twelve years ago today, on March 19, 2013, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Square to mark what he called “The Start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.” Official state delegations from 132 countries were present for the inauguration ceremony, including 31 heads of state, 11 heads of government and members of the royal families of six countries. There were also high-level representatives of 33 Christian churches and communities and official delegations from the Jewish and Islamic communities. Before the start of the Mass he was invested with two symbols of papal authority: the pallium and the fisherman’s ring.
In his homily at that Mass, he spoke of the need for Christians, and for himself as pope, to bring hope to people in today’s world, saying: “Today, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others.”
Throughout his pontificate, the first Latin American pope has always sought to bring hope to others including, since Oct. 7, 2023, to the some 500 members of the Catholic community at the Holy Family parish in Gaza City, as Father Gabriel Romanelli, told Avvenire, the Italian Catholic daily, March 19.
Speaking after the Israeli bombing across Gaza the previous night that broke the ceasefire after 8 weeks of truce and killed more than 400 Palestinians, including some 130 children, and wounded 500 others, Father Romanelli said that even in the midst of such suffering, the people in the parish never give into despair
thanks to constant prayer, and to the closeness of Pope Francis. I cannot describe in words how important his continued support is. It is our main source of consolation. Even during his trial of sickness he called us from the Gemelli Hospital. It was so nice to hear his voice: in suffering, he thought of us. People here consider him a friend. Let us pray for him, for his full recovery, every day ….He prays for us, we pray for him and together we pray for peace, that this fragment of the Holy Land, like all of Palestine and Israel can finally live in peace.
Also today, March 19, Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, sent a public message to Pope Francis, commemorated the 12th anniversary of the inauguration of Francis’ pontificate, saying: “Your Holiness has brought a vibrant call for the rediscovery of hope, and the setting aside of the logic of force and abuse, and while at the international level the reasons of Law and of a correct articulation of coexistence between States seem to be weakening, Your voice is and remains more necessary than ever.”
