The Vatican said Pope Francis “slept well” overnight and rested Thursday morning, showing signs of slight improvement as he continued to receive hospital care for double pneumonia.
“The Pope was sleeping well at night and was resting now,” the Holy See said in a statement Thursday morning.
The Vatican has not further expanded the status of the 88-year-old pope, which provides a brief update to the morning and is expected to follow more information later in the day.
Hundreds gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday night to pray for the Pope, just as they have done in the night crowd since Monday night.
Fear aggravated his fear after being taken to Jegilly Hospital in Rome on February 14, and was later diagnosed with “double pneumonia” or pneumonia in both lungs. But while Francis is still in critical condition, it was relieved earlier this week that the “slight improvement” of the pope’s condition earlier this week.
In a statement Wednesday, the Vatican said Francis’ condition showed “further improvements” within 24 hours and was committed to working activities in the afternoon.
It noted that the “mild renal insufficiency” pointed out in recent days has withdrawn. Meanwhile, a chest CT scan performed Tuesday night appeared to reflect a “normal” trend in people receiving pneumonia care.
The Holy See noted that Francis had not suffered any asthma breathing crisis on Wednesday, but said he continued to receive high-flow oxygen therapy.
Despite his condition improving, the Vatican said the pope’s prognosis was still “remained”.
It is unclear whether the pope is in critical condition as of Thursday morning.
