Pope used 'high-flow oxygen therapy' but is 'stable'

Pope Francis's condition is stable, the Vatican said on his 17th day in hospital, while adding that the 88-year-old pontiff's prognosis was "reserved".

The head of the Catholic Church "did not require non-invasive mechanical ventilation, only high-flow oxygen therapy", the Vatican said in its regular evening medical bulletin.

Pope Francis has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than two weeks.

He was admitted on 14 February with a severe respiratory infection that triggered other complications.

"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable throughout the day," the latest detailed update about the pontiff's condition said.

The Pope, it said, was continuing to receive oxygen via a small hose under his nose, adding he did not have a fever.

The Vatican said doctors were keeping his prognosis "guarded" due to "the complexity of the clinical picture", meaning the Pope is not out of danger.

He suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways on Friday, akin to an asthma attack, which required him to be aspirated and placed temporarily on ventilation.

Pope Francis met two Vatican officials and offered thanks to well-wishers for their prayers and support in a written message.

"I would like to thank you for the prayers," he said in a note released by the Vatican in place of his usual Sunday prayer with pilgrims, which the Pope was not able to lead for the third week running.

"I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am 'carried' and supported by all God's people. Thank you all," Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis also met at the hospital with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's number-two official, and the cardinal's deputy, said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, without giving further details about the meeting.

The Pope, who is known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican during his hospital stay and last met Cardinal Parolin and the deputy in the hospital on 24 February.

A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to discuss the Pope's health, said the pontiff was eating normally and moving about his hospital room as he continued his treatment.

Pope Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections as he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection of both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.

The Vatican has said the Pope's infection is "complex" and had been caused by two or more microorganisms.

Pope Francis has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from the public since his papacy started in March 2013 and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.

In St Peter's Square at the Vatican, people gathered were disappointed they could not see Pope Francis deliver his usual weekly prayers but also expressed hopes for his recovery.
"We still feel him here," said Annalisa Giona from Italy.

"He's in our thoughts, in our prayers, in our souls, he's here," she added.

Marzena Pilat, from Poland, said she expected to see Pope Francis back at the Vatican soon.

"We're very sorry that he is not here, that we cannot see him, but we are very happy that we can show that we stand with him," she said.