VATICAN (CNS): Home from the hospital after more than five weeks, Pope Francis is showing “slight improvements” in his breathing, ability to speak and mobility, the Vatican press office said.
Released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23, the 88-year-old pope is following doctors’ orders and is focused on his recovery, the press office told reporters on March 28.
The pope devotes his days to prayer, breathing exercises, physical therapy, rest and handling paperwork sent from Vatican offices to his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Each morning, he concelebrates Mass in the small chapel down the hall from his bedroom and private office, the press office said.
Pope Francis has not received any visitors, it said. He spends each day with members of his medical team—one of whom is on duty 24 hours a day—and with his private secretaries.
On march 28, the pope prayed for victims of the massive earthquake that caused death and destruction in Myanmar and Thailand, the press office said.
In a telegramme sent to civil and church authorities in the two countries, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation.”
The message said, “Pope Francis offers heartfelt prayers for the souls of the deceased and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this tragedy,”
The pope also prayed that emergency workers would be given “the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance.”
The Vatican press office said that since the pope was released from the hospital, he has had a reduced need for supplemental oxygen and is using high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula during only part of the night.
The results of blood tests performed on March 26 were within the normal range, the press office said. Before they discharged the pope, his doctors said he would continue drug therapy at home to deal with mycosis, a fungal infection, and the press office said he was continuing that medication.
