Pope Francisco has passed his second night admitted at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to bronchitis, although it responds to antibiotic treatment and has confirmed a “marked improvement” of health, while the Vatican organizes the rites of a Holy Week with a convalescent pontiff.

The latest communiqué from the Holy See, from last night, reports that he has been diagnosed with a infectious-based bronchitis – until then it was a “respiratory infection” – and is receiving antibiotics infusion, intravenously.

The therapy “produced the expected effects with a notable improvement in his state of health,” the Vatican spokesman said. For this reason, according to the foreseen evolution, the Argentine pope “could be discharged in the next few days”.

Francisco, 86, is still hospitalized on the tenth floor of the Gemelli, where the Vatican has an apartment for the exclusive use of the parents since the time of John Paul II. The pontiff has spent the afternoon “dedicating himself to rest, prayer and some work tasks”, which suggests a speedy recovery.

Pending his eventual release from the hospital, the Vatican is busy organizing the many Masses and rites of Holy Week in the world center of Catholicism with the Pope, the head of the Church, or in the hospital or still convalescing.

The Holy See for the moment has not confirmed or specified the plans for the Holy Week of the pontiff, but the Italian media assure that Francisco will not officiate some of the masses, such as that of Palm Sunday or that of Resurrection Sunday.

The Argentine pontiff, as planned, will give the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing that same day from the central loggia of the basilica, the same sources indicate. Because the intention of the Holy See, according to the press, is that if Francisco cannot officiate the rites from the altar, at least I can be present in thempreside over them, once he receives medical discharge.

It is the second time that Francisco has been admitted to this Roman hospital, after he underwent colon surgery on July 4, 2021, and remained hospitalized for ten days in which he came to celebrate the Angelus from the balcony of the health center. Since then, the Pope has only suffered a problem in his right knee that forces him to walk with a cane or a wheelchair and has assured on several occasions that he does not want to undergo surgery.