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ROME (AP) — He was well rested overnight after being hospitalized with a respiratory infection and is “gradually improving” on Thursday, the Vatican said.
A statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the 86-year-old pope had part of one lung removed when he was younger, eating breakfast, reading newspapers and working in a ward at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
“Before lunch, he went to a small chapel in his private apartment, where he prayed and received Communion,” the statement said.
Francis was hospitalized Wednesday after complaining of difficulty breathing in recent days and was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, not COVID-19. The Vatican said he would stay for several days for treatment. His audience has been canceled until Friday.
Despite his absence, the Vatican was buzzing with activity on Thursday: Two Vatican offices issued historic statements denying the “discovery doctrine.” A legal theory underpinned by a 15th-century papal bull that justified the seizure of indigenous lands during the colonial period and forms the basis of some property laws today.
And the repercussions surrounding the sudden resignation of a founding member of the Pope’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Commission continued, angered Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston. I disagree with the criticism of Rev. Hans Zorner in his surprising resignation the day before.
Francis plans to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, but it was not clear how his medical condition would affect the Vatican’s Holy Week celebrations.
His hospitalization was the first since Frances had a 33-centimeter (13-inch) colon removed in July 2021 and spent 10 days at Gemelli Hospital.
He said he made a full recovery and was able to eat normally soon after the operation. However, in a Jan. 24 interview with The Associated Press, Francis said his diverticulosis, or bulging intestinal wall, had “returned.”
Before being admitted to hospital on Wednesday, the Pope appeared in relatively good shape during his regularly scheduled general audiences, but grimaced strongly as he stepped into and out of the Popemobile.
Francis has been using a wheelchair for over a year due to ligament strain in his right knee and a minor knee fracture, but has recently been walking more with a cane.
Francis says he resisted having surgery for a knee problem because he didn’t respond well to general anesthesia during bowel surgery in 2021.
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