Pope releases breathless audio message thanking those praying for him amid pneumonia battle

Pope Francis recorded and released an audio message yesterday thanking those who have been praying for his recovery, his voice breathless as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” Francis said in his native Spanish in the message broadcast at the start of a prayer for his recovery in St Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis’s condition is stable and he has not suffered any new respiratory crises, the Vatican Press Office said in Thursday in its latest medical update.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who is being treated for bilateral pneumonia, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 and and he has had several respiratory crises since then.
“The Holy Father’s clinical condition remained stable with respect previous days.
“He had no episodes of respiratory insufficiency again today”.
It said the pope had continued “respiratory and motor physiotherapy” and had benefitted from this.
“His haemodynamic parameters and blood tests remained stable.

He did not have a fever,” the Vatican said.
The statement said the pope’s prognosis remains guarded.
“Today the Holy Father dedicated himself to some work activities during the morning and afternoon, alternating between rest and prayer.

Before lunch he received the Eucharist,” it said.
The Vatican has been giving updates on the pope’s condition every day, but on Thursday it said that, “in view of the stability of the clinical picture, the next medical bulletin will be issued on Saturday.