Pope resumes therapies, follows spiritual exercises on video

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 10 - Pope Francis on Monday resumed his therapies for pneumonia amid a slight improvement in his condition and followed Lenten spiritual exercises from his room in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican press office said.
    Francis, in his room at the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, resumed his therapies Monday morning, both pharmacological and respiratory and motor physiotherapy, it said.
    In addition, sitting in an armchair, the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff followed the spiritual exercises with the Roman Curia on video, in connection with the Paul VI Hall.
    The administration of oxygen also continues, during the day at high flows with nasal cannulas, during the night with mechanical ventilation and a mask.
    On Monday afternoon there should be a new bulletin with updates from the medical team, after the one from two days ago, the press office said.
    In the afternoon, the pope will be able to continue to follow the Lenten spiritual exercises "in communion" with the Curia on video: from the Paul VI Hall, however, they cannot see the pontiff, since there is no screen.
    Later Monday, the live broadcast of the spiritual exercises can be seen on Vatican channels at 5:00 p.m., with a meditation by the preacher of the Papal Household, Fra Roberto Pasolini, as well as the subsequent Rosary for the Pope's health at 6:00 p.m., again in the Paul VI Hall and led today by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect for the Laity, Family and Life.
    The Rosary can also be followed on screens in St. Peter's Square.
    As for the pope's future return to his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican, Vatican sources urged people to "wait for the doctors to release the prognosis. Up to now, the prognosis is guarded, so it is a bit early to talk about it".
    Continuing the current "stable picture" of the pope's conditions, even with "the persistent openness to critical issues", "it is conceivable that the bulletin will be issued every two days, as has been happening lately", barring any changes in the situation and important news of the day that need to be communicated, the Vatican sources say.
    As for his diet, the pope also eats "solid foods".
    And regarding the two anniversaries regarding Francis this week - Tuesday, March 11, his entry into the Society of Jesus and Thursday, the 13th, the anniversary of his election as Pope - "it will be necessary to see what life in hospital allows", the Vatican sources caution.
    Another anniversary will be March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph, the anniversary of the inauguration mass and therefore of the pontificate. (ANSA).