Pope Francis has said he feels “carried” and “supported by all God’s people” as he continues to recover from double pneumonia.
The pontiff, 88, skipped his weekly noon blessing on Sunday for the third time in a row, avoiding even a brief public appearance and having the Vatican distribute a message from him instead.
In the message, the pope said he was living his time in hospital as an experience of solidarity with people who are sick and suffering everywhere, and thanked his doctors for their care and well-wishers for their prayers.
“I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord,” Francis said.
“At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.
“I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people.”
People pray for Pope Francis next to the statue of the late pope John Paul II outside Gemelli hospital. Pics: Reuters
It was the third weekend in a row the pope cancelled his Sunday appointment to deliver the Angelus prayer in person.
However, the Vatican indicated he was recovering and his condition was improving, with an update on Sunday morning saying: “The night was quiet, the Pope is still resting.”
He did not have a fever or signs of elevated blood cells, which would indicate his body is still fighting an infection.
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Behind the scenes at the Vatican
Pope had breakfast and coffee – source
A Vatican source told Sky News the pope woke up and had breakfast and coffee before reading the newspaper on Sunday morning.
They said the pontiff still needs assistance to move, such as from his 10th floor hospital suite to his private chapel down the hall.
He met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his chief of staff, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, for the second time since he was admitted last month.
Pic: Reuters
Pontiff in good spirits
On Saturday evening, Vatican sources said the 88-year-old was alternating between high flow oxygen via nasal cannulas and a ventilation mask.
They said he was in good spirits and his condition was slightly improved from Friday, when he suffered an “isolated” breathing crisis.
Earlier in the day, Vatican sources stressed the pope was not out of danger and said his clinical conditions were just as complete as at the beginning of his health crisis two weeks ago.
Asked if, during Friday’s crisis, the pope underwent an invasive treatment, the Vatican source replied: “It is possible.”
The pope, who had part of a lung removed when he was young, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on 14 February after his bronchitis worsened and turned into pneumonia in both lungs.
Vatican officials have made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still has a long road ahead.
