Apparently hopeful news about the evolution of Pope Francis' health, released a few hours ago by the Catholic Information Agency ACI PRENSA:

The Vatican announced on March 1 that Pope Francis' condition has remained stable and that the respiratory crisis he suffered on Friday has not been repeated. Doctors still need at least 24 hours to assess how this episode affects his general health.

The Holy Father suffered an isolated attack of bronchospasm on the evening of February 28, which caused a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition.

This also caused an episode of vomiting with aspiration, which worsened his condition. He underwent bronchial aspiration and was placed on noninvasive mechanical ventilation, responding well to the treatment.

Following this incident, the Pope spent the night peacefully. In the latest update this afternoon, the Holy See Press Office detailed that the prognosis remains guarded and that the Holy Father, 88 years old, "has alternated between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of high-flow oxygen therapy, while consistently maintaining good gas exchange levels."

The statement also noted that he still has no fever and that he "does not have leukocytosis," which is an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood that indicates inflammation or infection.

The statement released on Saturday afternoon also states that "the hemodynamic parameters have remained consistently stable; he has continued to eat and has regularly participated in respiratory physiotherapy sessions, actively collaborating."

"The Holy Father remains alert and oriented. In the afternoon, he received the Eucharist and then devoted himself to prayer," the statement concluded.

Vatican sources said the Holy Father prayed for 20 minutes in the private chapel and that he remains in good spirits despite the fact that his clinical condition remains complex.