Francis was admitted to Gemeri Hospital in Rome in February due to double pneumonia.
Pope Francis has entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for dual pneumonia as signs of his recovery remain positive.
Francis remains stable, “confirming progress” that the 88-year-old Pope made last week, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The Pope, who was admitted to Gemeri University Hospital in Rome on February 14, has also reduced the use of mechanical ventilation at night to help him breathe, the statement added.
Doctors continue to emphasize this week that Francis is no longer in a life-threatening state, but his age, lack of mobility and loss of some of his lungs as a youth has left his condition complicated.
The first three weeks of his hospitalization were marked by a jetback roller coaster, including a respiratory crisis, mild kidney failure, and a severe cough fit.
But Francis continues his job. He approved a three-year implementation and evaluation process for a reform project aimed at making the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming and responding to it. The Vatican’s office has released schedules and implemented reforms through 2028, with Francis approved the calendar last week.
This week, the Pope also participated in Lenten spiritual exercises from the hospital. Vatican officials say it implies a lighter workload. He received cakes and hundreds of messages on Thursday, hoping for him on the 12th anniversary of his Pope.
The only official indication from the Pope since his hospitalization was a recorded audio message in which he thanked people for prayers for recovery, and he made it with a weak and enthusiastic voice. It was performed at St. Peter’s Square for the faithful people who gathered for the evening reading of the Rosary.
On the past four Sundays, the traditional blessings that the Pope normally conveyed through a window overlooking St. Peters Square, was released as text.
