Pope Francis is recovering his forces at the hospital, but should “revive to speak” after prolonged high flow oxygen treatment, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez said on Friday (21).
The cardinal, who is the head of the Vatican doctrinal office, rejected the speculation that the Pontiff would retire and said he was “returning to his former self.”
“The Pope is doing very well, but oxygen of high flowing dry flow all. He needs to relearn to speak, but his general physical condition is the same as before,” Fernandez said in the presentation of a new book by Francisco on poetry.
The 88 -year -old Pope has been hospitalized for five weeks due to a respiratory infection. During the time hospitalized, the Vatican released only a brief audio of him speaking on March 6 when his voice was breathless and difficult to understand.
In the health update of the Pontiff released on Friday, the Vatican said that the Pope’s condition remained stable with “small improvements in breathing and mobility.”
Sante Sé confirmed that the Pope has not used mechanical ventilation to help breathe at night since Monday, but was receiving oxygen through a small hose under the nose most of the time.
There is no official confirmation yet when he can return home at the Vatican and Fernandez said he did not know if he would be discharged in time for Easter, which falls on April 20.
“He can return, but doctors want to be 100% sure because he believes that with the short time he has, he wants to devote himself entirely to others, not himself,” said Fernandez.
Asked if he thought Francisco could resign, the cardinal said, “I really don’t think, no.”
Francisco has undergone several episodes of health problems in the last two years and is prone to pulmonary infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of a removed lung.
This content was originally published in Papa Francisco must revive to speak after hospitalization, says Cardinal on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
