Vatican City, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Vatican reported on Wednesday that Pope Francis is "resting well" amid his battle with double pneumonia. An official mentioned that he is maintaining a regular appetite and can freely move around his hospital room.
The 88-year-old pontiff is currently on his 13th day at Rome's Gemelli hospital, marking the longest hospitalization period during his nearly 12-year papacy.
"The pope had a peaceful night and is resting," the Vatican communicated in a concise statement without elaborating further.
A Vatican source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the lack of authorization to discuss the pope's condition, noted that Francis is alert and undergoing treatments. He confirmed the pope's ability to eat normally and be mobile within his hospital quarters.
On Tuesday, the Vatican had acknowledged that although the pontiff remains in critical yet stable condition, he has not experienced any additional respiratory crises.
The Vatican declared on Tuesday that the pope's prognosis remains "guarded" but pointed out that his hemodynamic parameters, crucial for assessing his circulatory system's performance, are stable.
Originally from Argentina, Francis became the first Catholic pontiff from the Americas in 2013. On Tuesday evening, members of Rome's Argentine community assembled at the Our Lady of Sorrows Church to pray for his well-being.
Rev. Mario Aler stated, "We pray for his health, that he may continue to lead the Church," emphasizing the importance of Francis' ongoing presence. Paraguay's ambassador to the Vatican, Romina Taboada Tonina, described the pope as "a great leader in both spiritual and political realms."
During a prayer service in St. Peter's Square attended by pilgrims and prominent Church figures, hundreds gathered at the Vatican on Tuesday evening. The service, repeated daily this week, aims to support the pope in his time of need.
Double pneumonia afflicts both lungs, causing inflammation and scarring that hinder breathing. The Vatican characterized the pope's infection as "complex," involving multiple microorganisms.
Given the pope's history of health challenges, attributed to previous pleurisy which led to the removal of part of his lung in his youth, his health is closely monitored. An upcoming update on his condition, expected on Wednesday evening, might include insights from a recent CT scan received to track his pneumonia progress.
Despite his illness, Pope Francis continues to manage Vatican affairs from the hospital, with new appointments approved by him announced by the Vatican on Wednesday.