Pope Francis 'slept and is resting' but remains in critical condition

Picture: by Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Pope Francis is resting after a quiet night, on the 10th day of his hospital admission for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney failure, the Vatican said.

The one-line statement did not say if Francis, 88, had woken up.

“The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting,” it said.

Late Sunday, doctors reported that blood tests showed early kidney failure that was nevertheless under control.

They said Francis remained in a critical condition, but that he had not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday.

He was receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen and, on Sunday, was alert, responsive and attended Mass.

They said his prognosis was guarded.

Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease.

They have warned that the main threat facing Francis is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.

To date there has been no reference to any onset of sepsis in the medical updates provided by the Vatican, including on Sunday.

Monday marks Francis’ 10th day in the hospital, making this equal to the longest hospital stay of his papacy.

He spent 10 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in 2021 after he had part of his colon removed.