The Vatican announced on Friday that Pope Francis, who is currently battling double pneumonia, is showing signs of improvement but will not lead the annual Ash Wednesday service on March 5 to open the Christian season of Lent. The 88-year-old pope has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, being treated for a severe respiratory infection that led to additional complications.
Although the Vatican has not provided a timeline for his release, it confirmed that a senior Vatican official would lead the Ash Wednesday service in place of the pope. The service marks the start of the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday.
In a medical update, the Vatican stated that while the pope’s condition has improved, his prognosis remains cautious due to the complexity of the infection. Despite his hospitalization, Pope Francis, who has been leading the Church since 2013, has continued to manage Vatican affairs from the hospital.
