Doctors said today that Pope Francis is no longer in danger of dying after spending three weeks in a Rome hospital with bronchitis.
However, that does not mean that the 88-year-old pontiff is healthy. Doctors remain cautious and have decided to keep him in the hospital for a few more days for treatment, and he will have to undergo a period of rehabilitation before he can return to his duties.
Doctors say Pope Francis has made slow and steady progress, but he has not yet fully recovered. It remains to be seen when he can return to the Vatican and whether he will need to receive additional oxygen. The Vatican also said that the pope continued physical and respiratory physiotherapy today.
Pope Francis, who has a chronic lung disease and had part of his lung removed when he was young, still uses supplemental oxygen during the day and a ventilation mask at night to help him breathe better.
This Sunday marks some important anniversaries for Pope Francis – today is the 67th anniversary of his ordination as a Jesuit priest, and Thursday is the 12th anniversary of his election as pope.
