Vatican official denies 'worsening' in Pope Francis' condition

A Vatican official said on Tuesday (18) that Pope Francis' health "has not worsened" and that his condition is "stable", despite the latest medical bulletin indicating a "complex" situation due to a "polymicrobial infection".

“The Pope is stationary.

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They found the problem, a multibacterial infection, and they are preparing a treatment that seems to be effective, so the Pope is not getting worse, as I see many people saying,” said Father Antonio Spadaro, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Education and Culture, in an interview with the TV2000 channel, owned by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).

“He is fever-free and yesterday he called the parish priest in Gaza. Obviously, the Pope is locked in a hospital room, and I think this must be terrible for him, but it is truly necessary,” the priest added.

The Vatican has not yet released a medical bulletin on Tuesday, but spokesman Matteo Bruni assured that Francis had a "peaceful night" at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome and is following the recommendation of "absolute rest."

There is still no release date, but the Vatican has canceled all of the Catholic leader's commitments until at least next Sunday (23). The Pope has been hospitalized since last Friday (14), after having presented respiratory symptoms for several weeks, without slowing down his work pace. (HANDLE)