Pope Francis shows slight improvement. What did the study reveal?

Pope Francis has shown a "new and slight improvement" on his 13th day in Rome's Gemelli hospital with bilateral pneumonia and the results of a chest scan show a "normal evolution" of his clinical condition, the Holy See reported on Wednesday.

"The Holy Father's clinical condition has shown a slight improvement over the past 24 hours. The slight renal insufficiency detected in the past few days has passed," reads the daily bulletin published by the Holy See.

Francisco, 88, was hospitalized on February 14 for bronchitis with a polymicrobial infection, which was compounded by bilateral pneumonia. The condition became complicated - and caused great concern - days later with an asthmatic respiratory crisis and anemia that required transfusions.

Slight improvement

However, the latest reports issued by the Vatican indicate a gradual and slight improvement in the Argentine pontiff, as expressed with cautious optimism by his medical team.

The second CT scan of his chest that was performed yesterday afternoon "has shown a normal evolution of the phlogistic pulmonary condition", that is, of his chemical processes.

The tests "have also confirmed yesterday's improvement" and Vatican sources say that even the anemia he was suffering from "seems to be passing" and the platelets in his blood are increasing, leaving behind the thrombocytopenia, the alarming low level of the past few days.

To confirm this slight recovery, a haematochemical test, a test on the chemical content of blood, and a blood count, which is used to examine a patient's general state of health and detect possible conditions, were carried out.

The Argentine pontiff, however, continues to receive "high flow" oxygen, even though he did not suffer from asthmatic respiratory crises on Wednesday either, and is undergoing "respiratory physiotherapy."

In addition, all symptoms of the kidney failure that had been detected in her have disappeared, although it was always considered "mild", "under control" and "not worrying".

His prognosis remains "reserved," meaning his doctors prefer not to reveal or predict his progress, but for the first time since February 22, the medical report does not state that his condition is "critical."

Eat "normally"

The last night, his thirteenth in the hospital, was quiet and in the morning he had a normal breakfast sitting in an armchair, awaiting the results of this CT scan.

According to Vatican sources, the Pope "can move", will continue to receive oxygen and can eat solid food "normally".

In the meantime, he continues to carry out some work tasks from the papal apartment on the tenth floor of the Gemelli, assisted by his closest collaborators. At the doors of the clinic, faithful continue to arrive to leave flowers and candles to wish him a speedy recovery.

In recent days he has signed some appointments and on Monday decrees of canonization, such as that of José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, the first saint of Venezuela, in addition to modifying some laws to give more powers to the first female "governor" of the Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini.

He also ordered the organization of a consistory to set a date for the canonizations, although it is not known when. This brought to mind the consistory, or meeting of cardinals, in which Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the pontificate.

Meanwhile, the cardinals, members of the Curia and the faithful who wish to do so will continue to pray the rosary every night in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.