Doctors report ‘marked improvement’ in Pope’s condition

BY JUSTIN MCLELLAN

ROME (CNS) • More than 24 hours after he entered the hospital, Pope Francis’ doctors reported a “marked improvement” in his condition, which they attributed to treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

The tests the Pope underwent after entering Rome’s Gemelli hospital with difficulty breathing revealed he had bronchitis, said a medical bulletin released by the Vatican press office March 30. “Based on his expected progress, the Holy Father could be discharged in the coming days.”

Earlier in the day, the Vatican said the Pope “rested well” his first night in the hospital and was “steadily improving” from what it described as a respiratory infection.

He spent the morning reading some newspapers, eating breakfast and had “resumed working,” the Vatican had said. Before lunch, he went to the chapel near his hospital room to pray, and he received Communion.

The evening bulletin said, “Pope Francis spent the afternoon at Gemelli devoting himself to rest, prayer and some work duties.”

The Vatican said that the Pope had complained of “some respiratory difficulties” in recent days and was admitted to the hospital for medical tests, the results of which detected a “respiratory infection” but excluded COVID-19.

The 86-year-old Pope is missing a piece of his lung that was removed in

Bishop O’Connell, other Church leaders, ask faithful to pray for Pope’s speedy recovery

Church leaders across the globe, including here in the Diocese of Trenton, responded to the news of Pope Francis’ illness by calling upon the faithful to pray for the Holy Father’s recovery.

The morning after news broke of the Pope’s March 29 hospitalization, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued the following message on diocesan media: “I ask that the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese remain close to the Holy Father in loving prayer for his speedy and complete return to good health, especially as the Church celebrates the coming holy days.”

Many within the Diocese’s social media community answered the Bishop’s call with loving and prayerful comments for Pope Francis.

The same response was seen across social media following many U.S. bishops issuing similar calls to their flocks. Among them was Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who said the following March 30:

“As Pope Francis recovers in the hospital from a respiratory infection, we pray intensely for our Holy Father. On behalf of my brother bishops, I invite all the faithful to pause, if possible before the Blessed Sacrament, and pray for his speedy recovery. May our dear shepherd and all those in need of healing experience the comfort of Christ.”

1957 when he was 20 years old and training to become a priest in his native Argentina. He has insisted the operation has had no lasting impact on his health.

Photographers, television cameras and reporters waited outside the hospital March 30, but they formed the only crowd gathered there for the Pope.

Before going to the hospital, Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square and showed no obvious signs of breathing problems.

“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” the Vatican said in its second statement March 29.

Your Annual Catholic Appeal Gifts In Action

Check out the following coverage about diocesan programs and events made possible, in part, through the generous funding of the Annual Catholic Appeal:

Catechists gain inspiration, resources for parish phase of Eucharistic Revival … page 20

Bishop, priests reminded to ‘stay the course’ when dealing with challenges page 22

Job fairs to promote Catholic school employment opportunities … page 26

Villanova certification boosts school principals’ management acumen ... page 44

To learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/ catholicappeal.