Pope Francis Breathing Unassisted as Health Improves

Pope Francis is on the mend—his condition is improving, and he no longer needs a mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe, the Vatican has confirmed.

The 88-year-old pontiff has also been cutting back on high-flow oxygen during the day. While his double pneumonia isn’t completely gone, doctors say it’s under control, and his lungs are getting stronger thanks to respiratory and physical therapy.

Francis even managed to celebrate Mass on Wednesday, which was an important feast day for the Catholic Church and marked 12 years since he became pope.

He’s been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, battling a serious lung infection that turned into pneumonia in both lungs. For a while, he had trouble clearing mucus and fluid from his lungs, leading to breathing crises that required noninvasive mechanical ventilation. But in a positive sign, he hasn’t needed the mask for two nights in a row, meaning his lungs are starting to work better on their own.

The Vatican is now scaling back its medical updates, with the next one not expected until Monday.

Meanwhile, Italian President Sergio Mattarella marked the pope’s 12th anniversary by sending a letter praising his work and wishing him a speedy recovery.

For now, it looks like Francis is on the road to recovery—just at his own pace.