The Pope remains in critical condition, but continues with his work activities

Pope Francis remains in critical condition. However, that has not prevented him from continuing to work on Tuesday after having resumed his work activity on Monday. Despite his reserved prognosis , the pontiff received in his room at the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic - where he has been hospitalized since February 14 due to pneumonia and other complications - the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and also promulgated several decrees. Among them, the one that represents the first step towards the beatification of the Mallorcan priest, Miguel Maura Montaner.

The medical report released on Tuesday afternoon indicates that the pontiff is stable within his serious condition . "The condition of the Holy Father remains critical but stable. No acute respiratory episodes have been verified and the hemodynamic parameters remain stable," the report underlines. It also explains that Francis has undergone a computed tomography (CT) scan for radiological control of bilateral pneumonia and that the results of this will be announced in the next few days. Likewise, the Vatican indicates that Francis remains "lucid", alert and "well oriented."

The 88-year-old Argentine was hospitalized twelve days ago for bronchitis with a polymicrobial infection, which was later accompanied by bilateral pneumonia. He was also diagnosed with mild kidney failure, which "does not cause concern," according to the medical report on Monday. The same document reported that the pontiff had experienced a " slight improvement" and that he continued to receive oxygen, but with flows at a "slightly reduced" percentage compared to previous days.

The Vatican has announced that Francis received the Eucharist, once again, in his room at the Gemelli, known as the 'hospital of the popes' . Afterwards he resumed his work activity. He received the Vatican Secretary of State, the Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Venezuelan Edgar Peña Parra. It has also been announced that Francis approved the heroic virtues of the Mallorcan priest Miguel Maura Montaner , founder of the Congregation of the Sisters Celadoras del Culto Eucarístico. This is the first step towards his beatification.

Two canonizations approved

The Pope also approved the canonization of the Venezuelan doctor José Gregorio Hernández, known as 'the doctor of the poor' , and of the Italian Bartolo Longo , founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii Shrine of Pompeii. The Pope thus approved the favorable votes of the Ordinary Session of the Cardinal Fathers and Bishops of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for these canonizations. He also decided to call a consistory to define the date of both canonizations.

The Holy Father has also changed some State laws to give greater powers to the nun Raffaella Petrini , who will be president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the State Governatorate from March 1. He has also appointed two new general secretaries: Emilio Nappa and Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi. He has given Sister Raffaella "the power to appoint and confer on the general secretaries specific competences or particular tasks." This is the first time that a woman has held these positions .

On the other hand, the Holy See has released the Pope's Lenten message, written and dated February 6. In this letter, the pontiff invites Catholics to live this liturgical time as pilgrims and to confront the reality of migrants. He also asks us to listen to others and "overcome the temptation to close ourselves in our self-referentiality." Francis concludes his message by quoting Saint Teresa: "Wait, wait, for you do not know when the day or the hour will come . Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even if your desire makes certainty doubtful, and short time long."