Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has paid a visit to Pope Francis in the hospital, reporting that he was “alert and responsive” and full of good humour despite his pneumonia and a complex bronchial illness.
Since his admission on Friday to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where popes have their own suite on the tenth floor, The Italian PM is the first confirmed outside visitor to have visited the pope outside of his medical staff and secretaries.
Her visit, which was only made public after it was completed, to reassure Italians, who haven’t even seen a picture of Francis since Friday.
Meloni stated that she wished to convey get-well wishes to the Pope on behalf of the government and the entire nation.
The Vatican has said Francis was up, eating and had gotten out of bed after a tranquil night, a day after tests confirmed he had pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis.
The Italian premier, who came to power in 2022 with a message touting her Christian credentials, has referred in glowing terms to the influence on her of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both reference points for European conservatives like herself.
Meloni’s visit came as prayers were pouring in for Francis’ recovery.
Francis also received another get-well wish from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, whom the pope recently targeted in criticising the Trump administration’ s plans for mass deportations of migrants.
Francis was admitted to the Gemelli hospital Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.
On Monday, medical personnel determined that he was suffering from a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, meaning a mix of viruses, bacteria and possibly other organisms had colonised in his respiratory tract.
Late Tuesday, the Vatican said a chest CT scan showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia on top of asthmatic bronchitis, which is being treated with cortisone and antibiotics.
Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia, which is a deeper and far more serious infection of the lungs’ air sacs.
Pneumonia can develop in part or all of one lung or in both lungs. It tends to be more serious when both lungs are affected because there isn’t healthy tissue to compensate.
Treatment varies by severity but can include providing oxygen through a nasal tube or mask, intravenous fluids — and treatment of the underlying cause of the infection.
“Pope Francis is a strong man who does not let difficulties get him down,” said the Rev. Enzo Fortunato, who heads a new Vatican committee on children.
