Pope Francis was in stable condition on Tuesday, breathing with supplemental oxygen after two respiratory crises the previous day. However, he will resume using a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask while sleeping to help him breathe.
The 88-year-old pope has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. He had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his lung function but experienced setbacks.
Doctors extracted mucus from his lungs and put him on the mask to aid breathing. He was stable enough to use just high flows of supplemental oxygen delivered by a nasal tube, but his condition remains guarded.
A group of Argentines from Rome’s embassies brought a statue of the Our Lady of Lujan to the Gemelli hospital to pray for Francis, who is devoted to the blue veiled Lujan Madonna. The Vatican has prepared for Lent without Francis, with a cardinal taking his place on Ash Wednesday.
Francis’ treatment comes as the Vatican prepares for the solemn period leading up to Easter. He had been undergoing physiotherapy to improve lung function but was unable to cough vigorously enough due to muscle tone loss in his lungs. Noninvasive ventilation is used to stave off intubation or more invasive mechanical ventilation, and Francis has not been intubated during this hospitalization.
The pope’s medical team has provided limited updates on his condition since February 21, highlighting the ups and downs of his hospitalization, which began on February 14.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-a5b7c0e597b38d329da55fb1720b4404