Pope Francis shows ‘slight improvement’ amid weekslong hospitalization, Vatican says

Pope Francis has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” after more than three weeks in the hospital, the Vatican said Saturday.

“The clinical condition of the Holy Father in recent days has remained stable and, consequently, demonstrates a good response to therapy,” a statement from the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office said.

The Vatican said Francis’ oxygen exchange has improved, he has not had a fever, and both hematochemical and blood count tests remain stable.

He was receiving high-flow oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and will be switched to non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight, according to the Vatican.

“Doctors are prudently maintaining a reserved prognosis,” the Vatican said, to make sure the pope continues to improve.

Francis received the Eucharist on Saturday morning, the Vatican said, and then prayed in the chapel of his private apartment. In the afternoon, he rested and worked.

Francis went into Rome’s Gemelli hospital Feb. 14 with a severe respiratory infection and has since been fighting double pneumonia.

The 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church has been stable since at least Wednesday. That day, the Vatican said he hadn’t had any respiratory crises, which had occurred in the days before.

Francis spoke for the first time since his hospitalization on Wednesday.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” he said in his native Spanish. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has had respiratory problems in the past, but in his 12 years as pope, none have kept him hospitalized as long as this one.