


ROME — Pope Francis remained stable Saturday a day after a respiratory crisis during his battle with double pneumonia, the Vatican said. He spent long periods of the day off the noninvasive mechanical ventilation he initially needed in a sign that his lung function was improving.
Francis had no further episodes of bronchial spasms like the one he suffered Friday, in which he inhaled vomit during a coughing fit.
He had no fever and no signs of new infection, was feeding himself solid food and coffee for breakfast, and continued his respiratory physiotherapy, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old pope had a “good response” in his gas exchange levels even during the “long periods” he was off the ventilator mask and only using high-flow supplemental oxygen.
But his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasn’t out of danger.
“The Holy Father is always vigilant” and aware of what’s going on around him, the statement said, adding that he received the Eucharist and spent 20 minutes in prayer in the private chapel down the hall from his 10th-floor hospital room.
The comparatively positive update came after Francis suffered a setback Friday in his two-week battle against pneumonia.
After the bronchial spasm, doctors aspirated the vomit and placed Francis on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, a mask that pumps oxygen into his lungs. Doctors said the episode resulted in a “sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.” The pope remained conscious and alert at all times and cooperated with the maneuvers to help him recover.
The fact that Francis on Saturday was able to use just high-flow oxygen for long periods, without any significant effect on the levels of oxygen in his blood, was a sign his respiratory function was improving.
The pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has lung disease and was admitted to Gemelli after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into pneumonia in both lungs.
Doctors not involved in Francis’ care said Friday’s episode was particularly alarming given his lung disease and overall fragility.
Types of noninvasive ventilation include a BiPAP machine, which helps people breathe by pushing air into their lungs. Doctors will often try such a machine for a while to see if the patient’s blood gas levels improve so they can avoid the more invasive intubation ventilation and eventually go back to using supplemental oxygen alone.
Doctors did not resume referring to Francis being in “critical condition,” which has been absent from their statements for four days now. But they say he isn’t out of danger, given the complexity of his case.
Francis’ hospitalization has come as the Vatican is marking its Holy Year that is drawing pilgrims to Rome from all over. They are walking through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica and also making pilgrimages to the hilltop Umbrian town of Assisi.