Vatican: “Slight improvement” in Pope’s lung infection

The Pope's state of health remains “stable,” the Vatican said on Tuesday. Blood tests carried out in recent days have shown “normal results” and a “slight improvement” has been noted from a lung x-ray. The Argentine pontiff spent five weeks at the Gemelli Hospital for polymicrobial respiratory infection and double pneumonia.

From his residence at Santa Marta, the Pope continues his motor and respiratory physiotherapy, showing progress in the recovery of his voice. At a press conference the day before his release from the hospital, his doctors explained that his “respiratory muscles” had been damaged. The Pope, they reported, had “slightly” lost his voice but he will regain it “little by little.”

Also according to the Vatican, Francis still uses high-flow oxygen at night through nasal cannulas. He uses a less intense device during the day, and can also go without oxygen “for short periods of time.” The aim is to gradually reduce the use of these aids.

During these days of rest, the Pope is not receiving official visitors. However, he is devoting himself to his work, sitting at his desk part of the time. He concelebrates Mass in the chapel on the second floor of his residence — the same floor as his apartment. His mood is “good,” the Vatican reports.

According to Doctor Sergio Alfieri, coordinator of the Gemelli team that treated the Pope, he has made “truly surprising improvement” since his return to the Vatican. “I find him very dynamic,” he told AP after visiting him last Wednesday.

Stating that the pontiff's voice had regained its vigor and that his need for oxygen had decreased, the surgeon estimated that the pontiff could regain “if not 100%, then 90% of his initial condition.”