Conditions Continue To Improve, Vatican Says Pope Francis No Longer Needs Ventilators

Pope Francis in the chapel located in Gemelli Hospital. (Source/@salastampaVaticana)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation (ventilators) to help breathing at night and the doctor believes his condition will continue to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in its latest positive update as the 88-year-old Pope struggles with pneumonia.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy for nearly five weeks due to severe respiratory infections requiring growing treatment.

"The Holy Father's clinical condition is certain to improve," said the latest detailed medical update on his condition.

The whale has used non-invasive mechanical ventilation while being hospitalized, which includes installing masks on the face to help push the air into the lungs.

Such ventilations have been "determinated", the statement said. However, it said the Pope still received oxygen through a small tube under his nose.

Doctors treating the Pope believe his infection is under control, the Vatican press office said shortly after the release of the latest statement. The Pope had no fever and his blood tests were normal, he said.

The Pope is described to have been in a stable condition or improving over the past two weeks, but the Vatican has not provided a timeframe for his repatriation, saying his recovery is slow.

Pope Francis is prone to lung infection because he has a history of inflammation of his chest membranes as a young adult and part of his lungs have been removed.

He has received breathing physiotherapy to help his breathing and physical therapy to help his mobility. The Pope has also used wheelchairs in recent years due to knee and back pain.

The Pope's stay in hospital was his longest absence from public views since being elected pope in 2013.

The Vatican released Fransiskus' first image at the hospital on Sunday, which showed him praying in a chapel.

On the other hand, the leader of the world Catholic Church continues to receive many congratulations for his recovery, including letters from his children.

Italy's postal service told Reuters the Pope had received about 150 kg (331 pounds) of letters per day from around the world during his hospitalization.

The hospital sends a van every day to collect a letter addressed to Pope Francis.