Pope’s condition is slightly improved but remains complex, Vatican sources say

The Pope’s condition remains complex and his prognosis is unclear, Vatican sources have said – but he did have a morning coffee.

In an update on Saturday evening, Vatican sources said the 88-year-old can move and walk, and is alternating between high flow oxygen via nasal cannulas and a ventilation mask.

They described Francis as being in good spirits and said his condition is slightly improved compared to Friday, when he suffered an “isolated” breathing crisis.

His breathing has now improved slightly, sources said, but doctors are remaining cautious and still need more time to determine if he has worsened after the worrying incident.

Sources added he is showing no signs of further infection at the moment. On Saturday, he prayed for 20 minutes and had some coffee, they said.

The Vatican said: “The Holy Father is always alert and oriented. In the afternoon he received the Eucharist, then he dedicated himself to prayer. The prognosis remains reserved.”

The Pope does not have a fever, it added.

Earlier on Saturday, Vatican sources stressed the pope was not out of danger, and said his clinical conditions were just as complex as at the beginning of his health crisis two weeks ago.

In a brief update, they said: “The night has passed quietly, the Pope is resting.”

Sources confirmed the Pope could still eat solid food. Asked if he had actually eaten, there was no answer.

And asked if, during Friday’s crisis, the Pope underwent an invasive treatment, the Vatican source replied: “It is possible.”

The Pope previously had an “isolated” breathing crisis as he was treated in hospital for double pneumonia.

An isolated coughing fit, also described as a bronchial spasm, caused the pontiff to vomit and forced him to use an oxygen mask on his nose and mouth for the first time, the Vatican said.

But he breathed in some of the vomit, leading to “a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition”.

Francis, who has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital for a fortnight, was promptly aspirated, the Vatican said, and given non-invasive mechanical ventilation, to which he “responded well”.

He remained conscious and alert at all times, a spokesperson said.

Vatican sources admitted on Friday had been “a hard day” but said the crisis, which started around 2pm local time, was resolved in the afternoon.

Read more from Sky News:
Zelenskyy arrives at No 10
Teens charged after 75-year-old’s death

The incident contrasts with the upbeat assessment given earlier on Friday, when the Vatican said the pontiff’s doctors reported he may be over the most critical phase of his pneumonia infection. It was the second day in a row where consultants avoided saying he was in a critical condition.

The Pope had part of one lung removed as a young child, and was first admitted to hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into pneumonia in both lungs.

Vatican officials have made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still has a long road ahead.

But on Friday, the Vatican published a document signed by Francis on 26 February as “From the Gemelli Polyclinic”, a new official tagline that showed Francis was still working from the hospital.

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter in April.

The Vatican cancelled a Holy Year audience scheduled for Saturday, and it remains to be seen if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for the third week in a row.