Pope Francis spends another calm night and continues resting

In the medical part of this Thursday night, the Vatican said that the pontiff was better but still need oxygen to breathe. Pope Francis’s clinical picture is still “complex” and, therefore, his prognosis remains reserved and “more days of clinical stability” will be needed to clarify the evolution of their health, they said Thursday.

Francisco, 88, was hospitalized on February 14 by a bronchitis with polymicrobial infection to which bilateral pneumonia is added. Yesterday, he dedicated the morning to respiratory physiotherapy and rest and in the afternoon he went to pray to the private apartment chapel that the potatoes have at the tenth plant of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Then he has dedicated himself to work tasks, such as studying and signing documents, as he has been doing from little.

Replaced by a cardinal at the Mass of Ash Wednesday

This Friday they have also announced from the Vatican that Pope Francis will be replaced by a cardinal, Ángelo de Donatis, in the Celebration of Ash Wednesday on March 5. With it, Lent is officially inaugurated.

“On the day of the beginning of Lent, a celebration will take place, in the form of Roman ‘stations’, chaired by his reverend eminence Cardinal Angelo of Donatis, major penitentiary and delegate of the Holy Father Francisco,” says the Vatican press office in his daily newsletter.

The celebration will begin in the church of San Anselmo in the adventine with the ‘stationary’ liturgy, which will follow the penitential procession towards the Basilica of Santa Sabina, where the Mass will take place with the rite of the blessing and the imposition of the ash, explained the Holy See.