Pope Francis continues to receive breathing assistance through different types of ventilation while in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to Vatican sources. Although he is not as mobile as his usual self, he has been seen moving around and has also been consuming solid food without the need for assisted feeding.

The pope recently recorded an audio message thanking those who have been praying for his recovery; the Vatican sources noted that it was an effort for him due to the audible noise from his oxygen machine. However, he won’t be participating in the Angelus prayer due to his current health condition.

As the pope enters his fourth week of hospital treatment, the nature of his recovery remains uncertain. Dr. Claudio Santini, head of internal medicine at Grassi Hospital, commented that the lack of updates on the Pope’s health improvement isn’t a positive sign. Santini also pointed out the significance of the chronic respiratory disease the Pope has been dealing with, in addition to the recent double pneumonia diagnosis.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory issues, including a lung surgery at age 21 due to pleurisy. The oxygen therapy has been aiding him thus far, but Dr. Santini warns of the stress it can place on other vital systems. The Pope’s health struggles have prevented him from leading Ash Wednesday mass, which was instead led by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis at Rome’s Santa Sabrina Basilica.

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Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-still-receiving-oxygen-therapy-not-read-sunday-prayers-vatican