The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis continues to improve as he recovers at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.
According to The Holy See Press Office, the Pope has
continued to show improvement, and he even wrote the meditations for the
Good Friday Via Crucis at Rome’s Colosseum.
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope has shown steady improvement.
Notably, he wrote the meditations for the Good Friday Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome.
The Holy Father was discharged with “protected discharge” after being hospitalized for a polymicrobial infection that led to bilateral pneumonia.
Since then, he has continued to show gradual improvements in his respiratory health, mobility, and voice.
The press statement notes that the Pope is continuing both his treatment and physical therapy focused on respiratory and mobility issues.
He can now go for extended periods without oxygen and generally only requires high-flow oxygen with nasal cannulas in the evenings or when necessary.
Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis has resumed his work activities and has been receiving visits from collaborators in the Roman Curia, including Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who met with him regarding the promulgation of decrees for causes of saints.
However, the Press Office noted it is still too early to
discuss the Pope’s own participation in Holy Week religious activities or
during the Easter Triduum (a period
of time that traces the final days of Jesus’ life, his death, and his
resurrection from the dead), but stressed it would offer all pertinent
updates as they arrive.
The statement gave further directives noting that on Holy
Thursday, Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, President Emeritus will take over and preside
over the Chrism Mass in the morning.
On Good Friday, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of
the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, will preside over the Passion Liturgy in
St. Peter’s Basilica. Later that evening, Cardinal Baldo Reina, the Pope’s
Vicar General of Rome, will preside over the Via Crucis at the Colosseum.