Stay in hospital – Pope Francis' health improved

Pope Francis' health has improved after spending a night in hospital due to a respiratory infection. As the Vatican announced on Thursday, the clinical picture improved so that the 86-year-old was able to return to work in the hospital. It remained questionable whether Francis would be able to lead the Mass on Palm Sunday and the other Easter celebrations.

The head of the Catholic Church was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Clinic for a "respiratory infection" on Wednesday, according to the Holy See, where he will spend a few days. The pope was therefore tested negative for the corona virus.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope "rested well that night." "His condition is gradually improving and he is continuing his planned treatment," Bruni said. "This morning after breakfast he read the newspaper and went back to work."

The Italian news agency Ansa, citing hospital sources, reported that the pope had a "quiet" night and that the medical staff attending to him were "very optimistic".

Given the pope's ailing health, questions arose as to whether Francis would be able to attend Mass on Palm Sunday and the celebrations planned for Holy Week and Easter.

Bruni said on Wednesday evening that the Pope was "moved by the many messages he has received and thanks for the closeness and prayer". The news of Francis' illness made headlines around the world on Wednesday evening and caused concern among Catholics.

US President Joe Biden – the second Catholic President in US history – also called for “a private prayer” to be dedicated to the Pope during a reception at the White House on Wednesday evening.

At St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, 60-year-old tourist guide Tina Montalbano said there was "always a fear" for the pontiff - "yet everything looks calm for the moment". She hopes "that he will recover quickly and celebrate Easter here in St. Peter's Basilica".

At his weekly audience on Wednesday morning, the head of the Catholic Church was still in a good mood and smiled at the believers from his "Papamobile". However, as his staff helped him get into the vehicle, he could be seen grimacing in pain.

The Pope has been suffering from health problems for a long time. He also had an operation on his intestines in July 2021 at Gemelli Hospital. Francis is also struggling with knee pain. The 86-year-old has been using a cane or a wheelchair for months.

The physical ailments of the pope had fueled speculation that the head of the church might resign. At the end of July last year, he publicly considered the possibility of resigning should he lose his strength. In February of this year, however, Pope Francis declared that resigning was "not on my plan at the moment".

Despite his advancing age and health problems, Francis continues to travel extensively. In the coming month he is to visit Hungary and meet there with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Both in the Vatican and on his trips abroad, the pontiff is constantly cared for by a team of nurses.