Pope Francis was “still still” on Wednesday “without showing an episode of respiratory failure,” but he rested peacefully overnight until Thursday, the Vatican said.
The 88-year-old Pope “is undergoing high-flow oxygen therapy during the day and non-invasive mechanical ventilation will resume in the middle of the night,” Vatican news outlets said in an evening update.
“The Holy Father has increased respiratory physiotherapy and active exercise therapy,” the Vatican news agency said.
Pope Francis’ candles and flowers were placed in front of the Agostino Gemeri Polyclinic in Rome on Thursday, March 6, 2025 and have been hospitalized since February 14th.
Andrew Medicini/AP
Pope Francis spent his 20th day in the hospital on Wednesday in an armchair, taking part in the “ritual blessing of the holy ashes imposed upon him by the congratulatory people,” the Vatican said.
“In the morning he was also known as Father Gabriel Romanelli, a parish priest of the Holy Family of Gaza. In the afternoon he alternated between work and rest,” the Vatican said.
