Critically ill Pope Francis finds energy to sign decrees for two new saints

The Vatican said 88-year-old Pope Francis had ‘a quiet night’, and remained critical but stable on the morning of his 13th day in hospital with double pneumonia.

Pope Francis remains critical but stable in hospital. Picture: AFP

After 13 days in hospital, numerous blood transfusions, copious oxygen and the world’s prayers, Pope Francis appears to be battling double pneumonia with a determination not seen in many approaching the end of their ninth decade.

Receiving the best treatment from the highly qualified doctors at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and being cared for within the 10th floor papal suite where his aides can be accommodated, Francis, 88, remains in a “critical” but stable condition.

Similar to the health update of the past three mornings, the Vatican announced on Wednesday that “the Pope had a quiet night and is resting’’.

Vatican sources say the Pope has been able to eat solids and sign documents and on Monday even received the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and his number two, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, to authorise another step for those on the path to sainthood, the doctor to the poor, Giuseppe Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, of Venezuela and Bartolo Longo, of Italy, who established the Shrine of the Holy Rosary at Pompeii.

Outside the Gemelli Hospital where Catholics have prayed for the pontiff at the marble statue of another pope, John Paul II, and in the vast St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City, there is palpable relief that Pope Francis has not experienced any recurrence of the difficult breathing he had on the weekend.

Nuns from Angola send prayers for Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

For successive days the word has been the pope has slept well, although upon further scrutiny he continues to “receive daily assistance”.

The latest report is that the Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical, but it has stabilised.

There have been no repeats of the acute respiratory episodes and his blood parameters continue to be stable. On Tuesday afternoon he underwent a scheduled follow-up CT scan to monitor the double pneumonia.

“The prognosis remains reserved,’’ the Vatican said.

The Pope’s doctors may soon give an update, and there may even be a photograph, but just when that may happen has not been communicated.

On Tuesday a superfluity of nuns from Angola walked across St Peter’s Square, marvelling at Bernini’s architecture and the giant colonnades, and were pleased at the news that the Pope appeared to be feeling better. Pilgrims in groups walking behind giant crosses through the Vatican City walls were seen fervently praying for the pontiff.

The Pope, who is recovering some 10km away in the hills overlooking Rome, is aware of the outpouring of concern.

Having told his advisers that he believed he may not recover from this latest bout of illness, he has rallied to sign off on church matters important to him.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan the Archbishop of New York City told US network Fox News the Pope is well aware of his prognosis. He said: “I admire his grit. I admire his resilience. I’m praying with him. But I’m praying for him. But I think we have to be realistic as he certainly is.”

As well as approving the progress of the two saints this week, Pope Francis also approved a new beatification and canonisation process of “offering of life” to Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, who served as a US Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War, and Italian carabinieri Salvo D’Acquisto.

A nun prays for Pope Francis to recover during nightly prayers in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

The steps required his signature otherwise the process would have been halted, Vatican sources said.

The offering of life decrees, the stage before a confirmed miracle for beatification, was created by Pope Francis eight years ago which deviates from martyrdom and heroism.

The Vatican News says the offering of life was introduced to recognise as saints “those Christians who, following more than closely the footsteps and teachings of the Lord Jesus, have voluntarily and freely offered their life for others and persevered with this determination unto death.”

Father Kapaun, born April 20, 1916, served as a chaplain in Burma (Myanmar) in WWII and then with the US army in Korea where he was captured. He died in a prisoner of war in the Pyoktong Prison Camp.

Deputy Brigadier Salvo D’Aquisto, born in Naples in 1920, died in Palidoro, Italy, when he was just 23, having been a member of the Italian carabinieri during World War II. The Pope has previously spoken about D’Aquisto, who gave his life to save innocent hostages captured by Nazi troops.