Doctors have changed treatment for Pope Francis’ respiratory tract infection to fight against a “complex clinical situation” and he will remain in the hospital as long as necessary, the Vatican said on Monday.
“The results of the tests carried out in recent days and have now demonstrated a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to an additional modification of the therapy,” said a brief press release.
“All tests carried out until today indicate a complex clinical image that will require an appropriate hospital stay.”
Friday, the 88 -year -old pontiff has suffered from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pontiff was “in a good mood”. He did not specify whether the pope suffered from a bacterial or viral infection, but said that a new update on the state of the Pope would be published later on Monday.
Although a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot. Viruses must usually take their course, but the patient can be helped with other drugs to lower their fever or help their body fight infection.
A polymicrobial infection is caused by two or more microorganisms and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
The Vatican said on Monday that the Pope’s scheduled weekly public on Pope, scheduled for Wednesday, had been canceled “due to the continuous hospitalization of the Holy Father”.
The Pope’s doctors had previously ordered a complete rest, and Francis could not deliver his regular weekly prayer on Sunday to pilgrims in Saint-Pierre or to lead a special mass for artists to mark the year of the jubilee of the church church Catholic.
“ Quite worried ” by the absence of the pope
The pilgrims visiting the Vatican on Monday offered their hope that Francis would recover soon.
“We certainly want him to improve very quickly,” said Reverend Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States. “He is our father and our shepherd, and we want his health and his blessing continues.”
Manuel Rossi, a tourist from Milan, Italy, said that he was “quite worried” when the Pope canceled his appearance on Sunday.
“I am 18 years old, so I saw few popes in my life and I am very close to him,” said Rossi. “I hope it recovers as soon as possible.”
During his hospital during the weekend, the Pope continued his recent practice of making phone calls to speak with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, the Italian broadcaster Mediaset reported on Monday.
One of the members of the parish said that Francis had called on Friday and Saturday and was “good humor” but had sounded “a little tired”.
“Thank you for the affection, the prayer and the proximity with which you accompany me these days,” wrote the Pope on X Sunday.
