No incidents

Pope continues to be supplied with oxygen

Pope Francis has now been in hospital for exactly three weeks.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Tiziana FABI)

There was little news about the Pope's state of health on Thursday. He is "stable", the Vatican announced. Francis was again supported overnight with a non-invasive mechanical ventilator. He is also being supplied with additional oxygen.

This is done partly with a breathing mask and partly through cannulas. Overnight, the Pope wears a mask over his mouth and nose in order to be ventilated. During the day, the 88-year-old is supplied with oxygen via his nose using a tube.

According to the Vatican, the night into Thursday passed calmly, without any further incidents. Francis is said to be fever-free and his blood values are stable. On Monday, the pontiff had suffered two respiratory crises. Nevertheless, he returned to some work tasks such as telephone calls on Wednesday and Thursday.

In hospital for three weeks
Concern for the Pope remains high. The head of the Roman Catholic Church has now been in hospital for exactly three weeks. He is being treated for bilateral pneumonia at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome. He has not been seen in public since his admission.

Incidentally, the Pope himself declares his resignation or renunciation of office. When the Pope announces his resignation, everything runs according to the same plan as on his death from the date he has set - but without a funeral and funeral masses. The worldwide College of Cardinals is then convened and the conclave begins two weeks later. A successor is elected there.