Breaking News on Pope Francis's Health: Needs High-flow Oxygen

Pope Francis's health remains a topic of worldwide interest. The Pope has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14 due to bilateral pneumonia that has complicated his health condition.

Despite the severity of the condition and his advanced age—he turned 88 in December—the Vatican has reported a slight improvement in his clinical progress.

The pontiff has experienced several health issues in recent years, causing concern among the faithful. Since his youth, Francis has been prone to lung ailments. This is because he suffered from pleurisy in his youth, which led to the removal of part of one of his lungs.

This condition makes him especially vulnerable to respiratory infections, like the one he is currently facing. Throughout these days, the Pope has remained in the papal suite on the tenth floor of Gemelli Hospital. 

This is the same medical center where other pontiffs have been treated in the past. In the vicinity of the hospital, numerous believers have placed flowers and candles as a show of support and prayer for his speedy recovery.

According to the latest medical report issued by the Holy See, Francis still requires "high-flow" oxygen therapy. Although he has managed to alternate this treatment with a conventional oxygen mask, indicating a slight improvement in his respiratory capacity. Nevertheless, his condition remains delicate and requires constant monitoring by the medical team attending to him.

The initial diagnosis for the Pope included bronchitis with a polymicrobial infection, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia, further complicating his health condition. Although the Vatican has conveyed some optimism regarding his progress, his advanced age and medical history maintain uncertainty about his full recovery.

The Catholic community remains alert to any news about the Holy Father's health, while support continues to pour in from various parts of the world. In Rome, prayers for his improvement resonate in churches and squares, while the Catholic Church faces one of the most sensitive moments of his pontificate.