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By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
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Pope Francis had another quiet night in hospital, the Vatican said in its Friday morning update, as his recovery from bilateral pneumonia continues.
The 88-year-old has now spent four weeks in hospital, much of it with an uncertain prognosis, but he is no longer in imminent danger of death. He first entered Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 and remains under medical supervision.
It means he will match the second-longest stay for a modern pope—28 days, set by St. John Paul II in 1994 following hip surgery. John Paul II holds the record at 55 days for a hospital stay in 1981 after surgery and treatment for an infection.
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Pope Francis on the Mend
The pope has had increasingly positive medical updates in recent days. A chest X-ray confirmed improvements, the Vatican had said on Wednesday.
Thursday marked the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. It was a public holiday at the Vatican and Masses were held in his honor at churches in Rome.
The pope spent the morning in physiotherapy, followed Lenten spiritual exercises of the Roman curia and stopped to pray at the chapel in the Gemelli Hospital.
In the afternoon, he received a cake from hospital personnel.
The Vatican has yet to release any photos or videos of Francis since his admission. Last week, he recorded an audio message thanking people for their prayers, though his frail voice and breathlessness underscored his weakened state.
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What People Are Saying
Alberto Jerbonato, a pilgrim from northern Veneto, was outside of the hospital. "We wanted to come here to pray for him and for his recovery. We are aware that he is 88 years old, and we are fully aware of what he is facing," Jerbonato said.
Lia Pratico, a worshipper at the Argentine church in Rome, said: "It was a different church before [him]. It has changed from a niche church to a universal church because Pope Francis is everybody's pope, not just an Argentine pope."
Dr. Carmelo D'Asero, an infectious diseases specialist and expert in geriatric diseases, but who is not involved in the pope's care, said: "We are entering a warm season, which is surely good for those who suffer from respiratory diseases. I think he will go back to work, but with smaller workloads and with a constantly monitored oxygen therapy."
What Happens Next
The Vatican has not provided a timeline for his return to public duties, but officials have said that any resumption of activities will depend on medical guidance. Pope Francis has, however, been receiving updates on global events and sent out communications.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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