ROME, March 20 (Bernama-dpa) -- Pope Francis' health has continued to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, noting that the 88-year-old pontiff can now manage without a breathing mask over his mouth and nose in hospital, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
Francis no longer needs non-invasive mechanical ventilation and also "has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy," the Vatican said in an evening medical bulletin.
"Motor and respiratory physiotherapy is continuing to make progress," it added.
In addition, the Vatican press office said for the first time that the pope's severe pneumonia is now "under control."
The head of the Catholic Church has been in hospital in Rome for more than a month.
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation usually means that a patient is given additional oxygen through a mask over the mouth and nose. This has been the case with Francis repeatedly over the past few weeks. He continues to receive intermittent breathing assistance through a tube in his nose.
The Vatican has emphasised several times in recent weeks that the pontiff has never been put on artificial respiration.
In addition to pneumonia, the pope suffers from an infection of the respiratory tract with various pathogens which is now "under control, although not eliminated," the Vatican said.
According to the doctors, the pope is suffering from severe pneumonia that has affected both lungs. To make matters worse, part of his right lung is missing due to an operation he had as a young man.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
