Doctors changed the treatment of the respiratory tract infection of Pope Francis in order to solve the “complex clinical situation” and will remain in the hospital as long as necessary, said the Vatican on Monday.
“The results of tests carried out in recent days and today have shown a polymicrobial respiratory infection, which led to further modification of therapy,” said a short statement.
“All tests carried out to this day indicate a complex clinical picture that will require a proper stay in the hospital.”
The 88-year-old Pope has been suffering from a respiratory infection for over a week and was admitted to Rome in the Gemelli hospital on Friday.
The spokesman for the Vatican Matteo Bruni said that the Pope was “in a good spirit.” He did not determine whether the Pope suffered from a bacterial or viral infection, but said that another update of the pope's state would be released later on Monday.
While bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot. Viruses usually have to conduct a course, but the patient can be helped in other drugs to lower the fever or help in the fight against the infection.
Polycrobial infection is caused by two or more microorganisms and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
The Vatican said on Monday that the planned weekly audience of the Pope in St. Piotr, established on Wednesday, was canceled “due to further hospitalization of the Holy Father.”
The pope's doctors had previously ordered a complete rest, and Francis was unable to regularly pray to pilgrims on Holy Square on Sunday. Peter or lead a special mass for artists on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Catholic Church.
“Quite worried” absence of the Pope
Pilgrims visiting the Vatican on Monday presented their hopes that Francis would soon recover.
“We certainly want it to improve very quickly,” said Reverend Tyler Carter, a Catholic priest from the United States. “He is our father and our shepherd, so we want his further health and blessing.”
Manuel Rossi, a tourist from Milan in Italy, said that “he was very worried” when the Pope canceled his performance on Sunday.
“I am 18, so I saw few popes in my life and I am very close to him,” said Rossi. “I hope he regains as soon as possible.”
In the hospital at the weekend, the Pope continued his latest practice to make calls to talk to members of the Catholic parish in Gaza, the Italian sender MediaSet informed on Monday.
One of the members of the parish said that Francis called on both Friday and Saturday and was in “good ghosts”, but it sounded “a bit tired”.
“Thank you for the attachment, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me these days,” wrote the Pope on X on Sunday.