Pope Francis receives ashes in hospital

The Pope’s overall clinical case remained complex, his condition was “stable” and he did not experience any episodes of “respiratory insufficiency”, the Vatican said on March 5 (Rome time).

The Ash Wednesday rite was held in the private suite of rooms on the 10th floor of the hospital where the Pope has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia and other respiratory ailments, the Vatican said. Pope Francis also received the Eucharist.

The Pope has been in hospital since February 14.

A homily that Pope Francis wrote for Ash Wednesday was read out at Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome.

The call of Lent, Pope Francis wrote, is a call to turn to the Lord and so become “a sign of hope for the world”.

An update from the Vatican on March 6 stated that “The night passed quietly; the Pope is still resting”.

After waking up, the Pope continued his treatments, including active motor physiotherapy. As planned, after non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night, he resumed high-flow oxygen therapy in the morning using nasal cannulas.

Pope Francis spent March 5 sitting in an armchair and increased the extent of “respiratory physiotherapy” he has been getting, which often consists of breathing exercises, as well as physiotherapy, the Vatican said.

Although the Pope no longer needed oxygen through a breathing mask during the day on March 4 and 5, a Vatican source has said that mechanical ventilation is used at night so he can sleep better.

Because of the continued complexity of Pope Francis’ case, his doctors continue to hold that his “prognosis remains guarded”.

The Vatican had said in the morning that the Pope had rested well overnight and had woken up a bit after 8am. It was the first time doctors had communicated the waking time of the Pope, whose normal schedule had been waking as early as 4 or 5am for prayer and reflection.

Pope Francis had suffered “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency” on March 3, which occurs when the lungs are unable to effectively take in sufficient oxygen or expel enough carbon dioxide to meet the body’s needs.

Those crises led doctors to put the Pope back on “noninvasive mechanical ventilation” – a treatment that delivers air with added oxygen through a tightly-fitted mask and which uses positive pressure to assist breathing. He also underwent two bronchoscopies that day, but “remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times”, the Vatican said.

Pope marks Ash Wednesday in hospital, receiving ashes, Eucharist – OSV News (By Carol Glatz/CNS)

Pope text: Ash Wednesday teaches human fragility, Gospel hope – OSV News (CNS)

Pope has another good night at the hospital, continues treatment – Vatican News (Vatican News)