The doctors have changed the treatment of Pope Francis’s respiratory infection to tackle a “complex clinical situation”, and he will stay in the hospital for as long as necessary on Monday.
“The results of the tests in the past few days and today have shown a polymic -robic infection of the airway, which has led to a further modification of the therapy,” says a short explanation.
“All tests to this day indicate a complex clinical image for which a suitable hospital stay is required.”
The 88-year-old Pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was approved in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday.
The Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the Pope was “in a good mood”. He did not state whether the Pope suffers from a bacterial or viral infection, but said that another update on the Pope’s condition would be published later on Monday.
While bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, virus infections cannot. Viruses usually have to run their course, but the patient can be supported with other medication to lower his fever or help his body combat infection.
A polymic -like infection is caused by two or more microorganisms and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Rev. Dr. Andrea Vicini, a Jesuit priest and doctor, said that polymic -robial was a generic concept that does not indicate the basic cause of an infection.
Vicini, who said he had no knowledge of the Pope’s case beyond the public statements of the Vatican, also said that it was noteworthy that the Vatican had said on Monday that the Pope had had breakfast, which was pointed out is not on a respiratory protection master.
“It also means that the body is not so weak not to be able to take food and digest,” said Vicini, professor at Boston College.
Francis, who has been a Pope since 2013, has had influenza and other health problems several times in the past two years. As a young adult, he developed pleuritis and had part of a lung removed, and lately he was susceptible to lung infections.
The Vatican said on Monday that the planned weekly audience of the Pope on St. Peter’s Square for Wednesday was canceled “because of the continued hospital stay of the Holy Father”.
The Pope’s doctors had previously ordered a full break, and Francis could not deliver his regular weekly prayer to pilgrims at St. Peter Square on Sunday or lead a special trade fair for artists to mark the anniversary year of the Catholic Church.
“Pretty worried” by absence from the Pope
Pilgrims who visited the Vatican on Monday offered their hopes that Francis would soon recover.
“We want him to get better very quickly,” said Rev. Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States. “He is our father and shepherd, and that’s why we want his continued health and blessing.”
Manuel Rossi, a tourist from Milan, Italy, said he was “quite worried” when the Pope canceled his appearance on Sunday.
“I am 18 years old, so I saw a few popes in my life and I am very close to him,” said Rossi. “I hope he will recover as soon as possible.”
During his time in the hospital at the weekend, the Pope continued his recent practice to make telephone calls to speak to members of a Catholic community in Gaza, the Italian broadcaster Mediaset reported on Monday.
One of the parishioners said Francis called both Friday and Saturday in “Good Girits”, but sounded “a bit tired”.
“Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you will accompany me these days,” the Pope wrote on X.
