The Pope still slightly improving. The CT scan shows normal evolution of the lung infection, good kidneys

"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father in the last 24 hours have shown a further, slight improvement", reports the Medical Bulletin released tonight. "The slight renal insufficiency found in recent days has subsided", it is explained, while "the chest CT scan, performed yesterday evening, showed a normal evolution of the pulmonary inflammatory picture".

"Today's blood tests and haematological tests" "confirmed yesterday's improvement" explains the medical bulletin released this evening on the conditions of the Pope hospitalized at Gemelli. The Holy Father, the note continues, "continues high-flow oxygen therapy; today too he has not presented asthmatic respiratory crises. Respiratory physiotherapy continues". "Although a slight improvement has been recorded, the prognosis remains reserved", the bulletin continues, adding that "during the morning the Holy Father received the Eucharist. The afternoon was dedicated to work activities".

The Pope also decided on some new appointments today. The Bulletin issued by the Vatican press office reports that he appointed the metropolitan archbishop of Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Mexico), the bishop of Armidale (Australia), the bishop prelate of Jesús María (Mexico) and the auxiliary bishop of Tabora (Tanzania).

"A press conference with doctors to be updated on the general situation is not excluded before the end of the week," Vatican sources reported, speaking of Pope Francis' health. It was also reiterated today that "the Pope can eat normally."

At the moment there is no news of other visits received, apart from those of the close collaborators who have been assisting him since the beginning of his hospital stay. As for the use, in the latest medical bulletins, of the adjective "critical" to speak of the Pope's health conditions, the same sources explain that "the first time this term was used was when the doctors said that the Pope is not out of danger and that therefore the prognosis is reserved".

According to the Vatican press office, the Pontiff spent a quiet night. "The Pope woke up, he is in an armchair, he continues his therapies", even "oxygen" with the modalities of the past days.

Pope in the text of the audience written before, 'death is not the end'

"Now you can let your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to your word." This text from the Gospel of Luke, spoken by Simeon, is the theme of the catechesis of the general audience that the Pope was supposed to deliver today. "The old Simeon sees death not as the end, but as fulfillment, as fullness, he awaits it as a 'sister' who does not annihilate but introduces into the true life that he has already tasted and in which he believes," writes the Pope. The director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, specifies: "It is a text that had been prepared previously and the reference to the Gospel was maintained." The series of catecheses is dedicated to childhood and the text prepared for today concerns the Gospel episode of the presentation of Jesus in the temple.