Vatican issues hopeful update on Pope Francis

Pope Francis remains hospitalised with a serious lung infection and other ailments as the Vatican released an update on the health of the Pontiff.

Pope Francis remains in a critical condition but is stable, the Vatican has revealed in the pontiff’s latest health update.

A statement was issued on Tuesday night local time (Wednesday AEDT) that said: “No acute respiratory episodes occurred and blood tests continue to be stable”.

“In the evening he underwent a scheduled CT scan for radiological monitoring of bilateral pneumonia,” the statement said.

“The prognosis remains guarded”.

Later in the day Pope Francis resumed work duties but it is understood he had no visitors on Tuesday.

Pope Francis remains hospitalised in Rome. Picture: AFP

It comes as the pontiff rested well on his 11th night in a Rome hospital after showing slight improvements in his ongoing health battle.

The Vatican issued a statement on Tuesday morning local time (Tuesday AEDT) and said, “The pope rested well the whole night”.

Yesterday, the Vatican reported the Pope had made a “slight improvement” in his ongoing health battle, resuming light work duties and reducing his reliance on oxygen.

The 88-year-old remains in Gemelli Hospital in northwest Rome, one of Italy’s largest hospitals, where he is receiving around-the-clock care from the country’s best doctors since he was first admitted to the facility on February 14.

Earlier, in a statement issued by the Vatican, it said the Pope was showing signs of improvement and there were no further signs of his respiratory problems worsening.

“There were no forms of asthmatic respiratory crises, some laboratory tests improved,” the Vatican statement said.

The Vatican also said he is eating and has resumed some minor work duties despite remaining in the biggest health fight of his life.

Pope Francis also phoned the pastor of the Gaza Parish on Monday to express his support in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

He also thanked all the people who have gathered in recent days to pray for him to return to good health.

Worshippers gathered outside the hospital on Monday afternoon, praying for Pope Francis and singing hymns as people from all around the world hope he can make a speedy recovery,

The hospital, named after the theologian and physician Agostino Gemelli in 1934, has become known as the ‘Pope’s hospital’ and its patients have included the late John Paul II.

Candles and messages of support have been left outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome where Pope Francis remains in a critical condition. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Pope Francis has been admitted to the hospital numerous times over the past 15 years.

Many notes, cards, candles and balloons rest at the base of a statue of John Paul II outside the front entrance to the hospital with messages mounting up offering support for the pope.

On Sunday evening the Holy See Press Office revealed he was in a critical condition after being earlier diagnosed with double bronchitis in both his long as well as battling respiratory issues and requiring oxygen.

People left presents for the Pope at the statue of Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome where Pope Francis remains hospitalised. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

A picture shows the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome. Picture: AFP

The Vatican also said that the pope had received blood transfusions to help increase his haemoglobin levels.

Two daily updates are continued to be provided to the large contingency of international media, many who have flown from all around the world to Rome to report on the pope’s health that remains under a serious cloud.

The pope has had many medical issues in recent years including battling weight problems and he has been reliant on a wheelchair due to his bad knees.

During his latest health battle he has also been dealing with thrombocytopenia – a condition that occurs when the platelet count in the blood is too low which allows the blood to clot.

Platelets are tiny blood cells that are made in the bone marrow from larger cells and the condition can be life-threatening if there is bleeding within the brain.

Originally published as Vatican issues hopeful update on Pope Francis