VATICAN CITY: 

Pope Francis is recovering from pneumonia and no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night for breathing, with doctors confident that his condition will continue to improve, the Vatican has said.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks for a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are confirmed to be improving,” said the latest detailed medical update on his condition on Wednesday.

The pope had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight during his hospital stay, which involves placing a mask over the face to help push air into the lungs.

Such ventilation had been “suspended”, the statement said. However, he is still receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose.

The pope’s doctors believe his infection is under control, the Vatican press office said shortly after releasing the latest statement. The pope does not have a fever, and his blood tests are normal, it said.

The pope has been described as being in a stable or improving condition for two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet given a time frame for his discharge, stating that his recovery is progressing slowly.

Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

He has been receiving both respiratory physiotherapy to assist with his breathing and physical therapy to aid his mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.

Doctors not involved in Francis’ care said the pope is likely to face a long, challenging road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.

Children send Pope letters

The pope’s stay in hospital has been his longest absence from the public eye since his election as pontiff in 2013.

The Vatican released the first image of Francis in hospital on Sunday, showing him praying in a chapel.

In a sign that the Vatican may be expecting Francis to be discharged from hospital by the end of the month, Britain’s King Charles announced on Tuesday that he and his wife, Queen Camilla, would proceed with plans to travel to Italy and the Vatican in early April.

The royals are tentatively scheduled to meet Francis on 8 April, for an appointment that would typically be organised in close coordination with senior Vatican officials.

Francis continues to receive many well-wishes for his recovery, including letters from children.

Italy’s postal service told Reuters that the pope had received approximately 150 kg (331 lb) of additional mail per day from around the world during his hospital stay.

The hospital is sending a van daily to collect the mail addressed to Francis.