VATICAN CITY, Feb 20 (Reuters)—Spending his seventh day in the hospital battling pneumonia, Pope Francis is alert and got out of bed to have breakfast on Thursday morning, as reported by the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pontiff is receiving treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to breathing difficulties he has been experiencing.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni provided a brief update stating that the pope had a restful night's sleep and enjoyed breakfast while seated in an armchair.
His condition remains stable, with promising results from recent blood tests, according to the Vatican's latest medical bulletin released on Wednesday evening.
Francis is afflicted with pneumonia, a severe infection that can cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs, resulting in breathing challenges.
Previously, the Vatican revealed that the pope was dealing with a polymicrobial infection involving multiple micro-organisms, emphasizing his extended hospital stay required to address the intricate medical scenario.
A Vatican official mentioned on Thursday, under anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the pope’s health, that Francis was not connected to a ventilator and was breathing independently.
The pope is mobile within his hospital room, managing incoming calls, and tending to paperwork, as reported by the official.
On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Francis, becoming his first notable visitor during his hospitalization. Meloni described him as "alert and responsive."
The Pope shared a light moment with Meloni, joking about rumors of people betting on his demise, as reported by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Meloni remarked that "He hasn't lost his proverbial sense of humor."
This recent health setback is one among many that the pontiff has faced over the years.