Vatican prepares for Lent as Pope Francis remains hospitalized

Well, the Pope's health still remains firmly in the balance tonight. On Tuesday, the Vatican saying that Francis is in *** stable condition, but he will overnight be on *** non-invasive ventilator, providing him with. Oxygen Francis did not have any respiratory crises on Tuesday. We're told. He did not resume work and of course this comes after *** number or two crises on Monday. Now in the Vatican there's still obviously *** lot of concern about the Pope's condition. He's in his 19th day of hospitalization. At the Ji Hospital battling pneumonia in both of his lungs, *** Vatican source saying that his recent crises and spasms, bronchial spasms are to be expected given his condition. But I've spoken to *** medical expert who says that the Pope's condition is like *** fire in your house. You can put the fire out, but it's the long term damage that is the question. It is still very uncertain how long the Pope will be in hospital and what the prognosis is that remains, the Vatican said tonight, reserved, too soon to tell. Now tomorrow is the start of Lent, the preparation that the Catholic Church makes for Easter, the high point of the church's liturgical year. Tomorrow, the Pope will not be leading the Ash Wednesday service that will be presided over by *** Vatican cardinal. Behind me prayers were said for Pope Francis on Tuesday night, as they have been said every evening in St. Peter's during these recent days. Of course those prayers being said beneath the balcony of St. Peter's where the Pope, almost 12 years to the day, appeared for the first time after his election, and at that moment he asked the people to pray for him. And that is exactly what they are doing now for Francis as he continues his treatment for pneumonia in the hospital. We are expecting *** further update from the Vatican on Wednesday morning. Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

Updated: 5:59 AM CST Mar 5, 2025

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Vatican prepares for Lent as Pope Francis remains hospitalized

Updated: 5:59 AM CST Mar 5, 2025

Editorial Standards ��

Pope Francis was resting Wednesday, the start of the solemn Lenten period leading up to Holy Week observances, after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he undergoes hospital treatment for double pneumonia.In its latest update, the Vatican said that the pope rested well overnight, waking up shortly after 8 a.m. Pope Francis remained in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger. He resumed supplemental oxygen delivered by a nasal tube in the morning, alternating from a ventilation mask at night as doctors seek to ease his breathing for a deeper rest.The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had two respiratory crises on Monday in a setback to his recovery.On Tuesday, he was breathing with just the help of supplemental oxygen after respiratory crises a day earlier, but resumed using a ventilation mask at night, the Vatican said.Francis' hospitalization began on Feb. 14 and is the longest of his 12-year papacy.Ash WednesdayFrancis�� treatment continues as the Vatican prepares for Lent, the solemn period beginning with Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter on April 20. A cardinal has been designated to take Francis�� place at Vatican celebrations, with a traditional service and procession in RomeOn Ash Wednesday, observant Catholics receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that underscores human mortality. It is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.Vatican prepares for Lent without FrancisThe pope had intended to attend a spiritual retreat this coming weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion�� with him. The theme, selected weeks ago and well before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”Francis, who is not physically active, uses a wheelchair and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his lung function. The accumulation of secretions in his lungs was a sign that he doesn’t have the muscle tone to cough vigorously enough to expel the fluid.Doctors often use noninvasive ventilation to stave off intubation or the use of more invasive mechanical ventilation. Francis has not been intubated during this hospitalization. It’s not clear if he has provided any instructions on the limits of his care if he declines seriously or loses consciousness.Catholic teaching holds that life must be defended from conception until natural death. It insists that chronically ill patients, including those in vegetative states, must receive “ordinary�� care such as hydration and nutrition, but “extraordinary�� or disproportionate care can be suspended if it is no longer beneficial or is only prolonging a precarious and painful life.___Associated Press writer Colleen Barry in Rome contributed to this report.

VATICAN CITY —

In its latest update, the Vatican said that the pope rested well overnight, waking up shortly after 8 a.m. Pope Francis remained in stable condition, with a guarded prognosis, meaning he was not out of danger. He resumed supplemental oxygen delivered by a nasal tube in the morning, alternating from a ventilation mask at night as doctors seek to ease his breathing for a deeper rest.

The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had two respiratory crises on Monday in a setback to his recovery.

On Tuesday, he was breathing with just the help of supplemental oxygen after respiratory crises a day earlier, but resumed using a ventilation mask at night, the Vatican said.

Francis' hospitalization began on Feb. 14 and is the longest of his 12-year papacy.

Ash Wednesday

Francis�� treatment continues as the Vatican prepares for Lent, the solemn period beginning with Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter on April 20. A cardinal has been designated to take Francis�� place at Vatican celebrations, with a traditional service and procession in Rome

On Ash Wednesday, observant Catholics receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that underscores human mortality. It is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.

Vatican prepares for Lent without Francis

The pope had intended to attend a spiritual retreat this coming weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion�� with him. The theme, selected weeks ago and well before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.��

Francis, who is not physically active, uses a wheelchair and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to try to improve his lung function. The accumulation of secretions in his lungs was a sign that he doesn’t have the muscle tone to cough vigorously enough to expel the fluid.

Doctors often use noninvasive ventilation to stave off intubation or the use of more invasive mechanical ventilation. Francis has not been intubated during this hospitalization. It’s not clear if he has provided any instructions on the limits of his care if he declines seriously or loses consciousness.

Catholic teaching holds that life must be defended from conception until natural death. It insists that chronically ill patients, including those in vegetative states, must receive “ordinary�� care such as hydration and nutrition, but “extraordinary�� or disproportionate care can be suspended if it is no longer beneficial or is only prolonging a precarious and painful life.

___

Associated Press writer Colleen Barry in Rome contributed to this report.

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