Feb. 25 (UPI) — Pope Francis met with the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Monday as he rested comfortably throughout the night into Tuesday but remained in critical condition.
The Vatican said the pontiff met with Parolin and the substitute for general affairs of the secretariat of state, Archbishop Pena Parra related to several decrees. Officials said Francis showed slight improvement.
“No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred [Monday] and some laboratory tests have shown improvement,” the Vatican said. “The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow oxygen levels.”
The pope’s respiratory issues are just the latest health complications for Francis, 88. He was checked into Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14, where he was initially treated for bronchitis and then double pneumonia.
In the meantime, hundreds gathered at St. Peter’s Square as Parolin led the Holy Rosary for Francis’s health and recovery. The crowd sang Salve Regina at the end of the service.
The Argentine native and the first Jesuit to be named pope has been hospitalized numerous times during his 12-year run as leader of the Catholic Church. He is susceptible to pneumonia because he contracted pleurisy in his 20s and had part of his lung removed.
