Ailing Pope Francis continues his battle in the hospital as he enters his fifth week under medical care. The Holy Father is recovering from double pneumonia and a previous mild kidney issue.
Argentinian Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, a close advisor of the Pope, has shared an update that reflects both hope and challenge for the Pontiff’s recovery journey.
“Pope Francis is slowly regaining his strength in hospital but must ‘relearn to speak’ after prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy,” Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez said on Friday.
Initially, Pope Francis managed to perform his duties from his hospital room. However, his health saw fluctuations, stalling these efforts. During this difficult time, internal Vatican discussions have been intense regarding financial matters.
Cardinal Fernandez, the head of Vatican’s Holy Office, has firmly countered rumors speculating a potential resignation by the Pope, stating he is “returning to his old self.”
“‘The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out. He needs to relearn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before’, Fernandez said at a presentation of a new book by Francis on poetry.”
The Vatican’s latest health report confirms the Pope’s condition is stable, showing some improvements in breathing and mobility. However, recent weeks have been marked by multiple breathing crises.
Fortunately, since Monday, Pope Francis has not required mechanical ventilation. As Easter approaches on April 20, questions linger about whether he will be discharged in time. Cardinal Fernandez remains optimistic yet cautious.
“‘He could return, but the doctors want to be 100% sure because he believes that with the little time he has left, he wants to dedicate himself entirely to others, not to himself’, Fernandez said.”
When pressed about potential resignation plans, Cardinal Fernandez decisively responded:
“‘I really don’t think so, no’.”
