LATEST Update on Pope Francis Reveals he is Stable and Still Undergoing Treatment but the Vatican Cancels the Pope's Upcoming Events

In an update on Pope Francis' health on Feb. 18, the Vatican wrote, “The night passed peacefully” for Pope Francis. The pope has been hospitalized since February 14 at the Policlinico Gemelli for what the results of the tests carried out in recent days have confirmed to be a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract. 

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni informs journalists in the Press Room about the health of the Pontiff, hospitalized since February 14 at the Policlinico: he is breathing on his own, continuing the therapy prescribed by the medical staff. Yesterday the Pope also telephoned the parish of Gaza. Monsignor Fisichella was delegated for Sunday's Mass at St. Peter's on the occasion of the Jubilee of Deacons. He has been receiving messages, drawings and cards from children hospitalized at the Policlinico

“The Pope rested, he woke up this morning, had breakfast and read some newspapers as he regularly does,” Bruni said, explaining that further medical information will be released in the late afternoon. At the moment the Pontiff is self-ventilated, that is, he breathes autonomously, it was said in the Vatican Press Office, and is following the indication of “absolute rest” prescribed by the medical staff who have been treating him for four days. This is why the Pope did not lead the Angelus prayer on Sunday.

At the moment there is no information on the next Sunday or on other changes to the papal agenda; the only information in this regard that arrived this morning is that the commitments of Saturday, February 22 have been cancelled, while for the Mass scheduled for Sunday, February 23, at 9 a.m., in St. Peter’s Basilica, for the Jubilee of Deacons, Pope Francis has delegated Monsignor Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

In the meantime – as confirmed by a communication from yesterday evening – the Pope is continuing the therapy prescribed by the doctors. Even from the hospital, as he has done since the beginning of the war in the Middle East, he continues to call every evening around 7:00 pm (8:00 pm) to the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza. This was confirmed by the parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, reporting on a video call in which the pope "asked how we were and thanked us for the prayers, and gave us his blessing". The Pope appeared "tired" but his voice was "strong and clear", added the Argentine priest.

Francis is also receiving hundreds of messages of good wishes for a speedy recovery, as well as drawings and cards. Some come from the children hospitalized at Gemelli, in particular those in the oncology department, his neighbors on the tenth floor, whom the Pope has never failed to visit during his previous stays at the Policlinico.

In a Monday,  evening press release, the Holy See Press Office says that Pope Francis’ condition is “stable”, and he is “continuing with the prescribed treatment”.

“The Holy Father remains without a fever and is proceeding with the prescribed treatment".
“His condition is stable,” added the Press Office. “This morning, he received the Eucharist and then undertook some work and some reading.”

The statement added that “Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he has been receiving in recent hours; he especially wants to extend his thanks to those who are hospitalized at this time, for the affection and love they have expressed through drawings and messages of good wishes; he prays for them and asks that they pray for him.”

Earlier on Monday, the Press Office had confirmed that Pope Francis' General Audience for the week had been cancelled.