Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death, doctors say

Doctors have announced that Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of double pneumonia that has kept him hospitalized for nearly a month.

The 88-year-old pope has been in Gemelli Hospital since Febuary 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment. He remains stable and has shown improvements in recent days.

The Vatican said that the pope’s doctors had decided to lift an earlier “guarded” prognosis, meaning the pontiff was no longer in immediate danger.

“The improvements recorded in previous days have further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical assessments, as well as a good response to his drug treatments,” it said.

But while doctors lifted the “guarded” prognosis, the Vatican said on Monday that it expects the pope “to continue medical drug treatment in a hospital setting for further days.”

It’s unknown when he will be discharged from the hospital.

Francis has not been seen since entering the hospital, the longest absence during his time as pope.

Last week, he recorded a brief audio message that was played during a nightly prayer service for the pope in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers in the Square for my health,” he said in his native Spanish, pausing between words to take in deep breaths. “May God bless you.”

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