POPE FRANCIS STILL IN HOSPITAL

Although he’s stable, Pope Francis will stay in Rome’s Gimelli hospital for as long as necessary.

This was the news from the Vatican on Monday after it was announced that the 88-year-old will have to remain in hospital while doctors treat his respiratory tract infection.

Matteo Bruni, the Vatican’s spokesperson, said the results of tests conducted in recent days indicate the pontiff needed further change in his drug therapy as he is suffering from “polymicrobial respiratory tract infection”.

It was later revealed that his clinical conditions were stable and that he “read and worked” on Monday morning.

Members of a Catholic parish in Gaza said that Pope Francis phoned them on Monday and that even though he sounded tired, he sounded happy.

Bruni added that the pontiff is “touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours”.

“In particular he intends to thank those who are currently hospitalized, for the affection and love that they express through the drawings and good wishes; he prays for them and asks that they pray for him.”

The pope shared this message on social media over the weekend: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”

Image credit: WLIW