ROME (AP) 鈥� participated remotely in the Vatican's spiritual retreat Tuesday after getting good news from his doctors: They and say he is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of the respiratory infection that has kept him hospitalized for nearly a month in the longest and gravest threat to his 12-year papacy.
The 88-year-old pope isn鈥檛 out of the woods yet, however. Doctors are still cautious and have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment, not to mention a period of rehabilitation he will likely need.
Dr. Carmelo D鈥橝sero, an infectious diseases specialist and expert in geriatric diseases, said Francis was clearly making slow and gradual progress, but still had not recovered fully. He said it remains to be seen how and when he can return to the Vatican, and whether he will need supplemental oxygen to breathe going forward.
鈥淲e must not forget that he has been hospitalized for one month,鈥� said D鈥橝sero, who is not involved in Francis鈥� care. He noted that the arrival of spring in Rome should help. Francis鈥� bronchitis typically flares during the winter months.
鈥淲e are entering a warm seasons, which is surely good for those who suffer of respiratory diseases,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think he will go back to work, but with smaller workloads and with a constantly monitored oxygen therapy.鈥�
Francis, who has chronic lung disease, is still using supplemental oxygen during the day and a ventilation mask at night to help him breathe.
The Vatican said Francis resumed physical and respiratory physiotherapy Tuesday, and followed the Vatican鈥檚 weeklong spiritual retreat via videoconference for a third day.
鈥淚t really makes me happy, because we were sad as it looked like he was not recovering," said Sister Maria Letizia Salazar, a nun who was praying for Francis on Tuesday outside the Gemelli hospital. 鈥淏ut now that I鈥檝e got this news I am very happy."
This week also counts some important anniversaries for Francis: Tuesday is the 67th anniversary of his entry into the Jesuit religious order鈥檚 novitiate, and Thursday marks the 12th anniversary of his election as pope.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press
