"The night went well, the Pope slept and is resting." This was communicated by the Vatican Press Office in the usual morning update on the conditions of the Pontiff, on his eleventh day of hospitalization at Gemelli. A couple of hours later, Vatican sources reported that Pope Francis "woke up and is continuing his therapies, his mood is good and he is eating normally. He is not in pain."

Bergoglio's conditions remain "critical", yesterday's news is a "mild renal failure, currently under control", but which could worsen . Since yesterday evening the Holy Father "has not presented any further respiratory crises", and in the medical bulletin of Sunday 23 February it is explained that no further transfusions were necessary, those on Saturday were "beneficial", with "an increase in hemoglobin levels". Instead, "high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas" continues.

The Pope in any case "continues to be vigilant and well oriented" , he also speaks freely about what is learned. But "the complexity of the clinical picture, and the wait necessary for the pharmacological therapies to give some feedback, require that the prognosis remain reserved".

In short, he is not out of danger.

"I am confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Polyclinic, continuing with the necessary treatments; and rest is also part of the therapy! ", he stated in his text for the Angelus which yesterday, as already last Sunday, was released in written form.

The Pope wanted to thank "with all my heart the doctors and health workers of this Hospital for the attention they are showing me and for the dedication with which they carry out their service among the sick. In these days I have received many messages of affection and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings of the children. Thank you for this closeness and for the prayers of comfort that I have received from all over the world! I entrust everyone to the intercession of Mary and I ask you to pray for me."

Meanwhile , rumors and speculations continue to circulate about the Pope's possible resignation due to his health conditions . It must be taken into account, however, that - beyond his current or perhaps more remote intentions - the Pope has already signed a letter of resignation in the event of an illness that permanently paralyzes his decision-making and governing abilities. And he did so not recently, but in the first months of his pontificate, when Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was still Secretary of State in 2013 .

(Unioneonline/L)

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