罗马-罗马(美联社)教皇方济各梵蒂冈表示，周三病情继续好转，他不需要使用机械通气面罩来帮助他呼吸，这标志着他从双重肺炎中恢复的进一步进展。
梵蒂冈在一份医学公告中说，这位88岁的教皇也减少了白天对高流量补充氧气的依赖。教廷新闻办公室表示，他的肺炎感染虽然没有完全消除，但已得到控制。
弗朗西斯星期三主持弥撒，这是天主教会的一个重要节日，也是他12年前就任教皇的周年纪念日。
弗朗西斯自2月14日以来一直在罗马的Gemelli医院接受治疗，原因是复杂的肺部感染导致双肺肺炎。他一直在接受呼吸和物理治疗来帮助强化他的肺部。
连续两个晚上，他不需要使用无创机械通气面罩，这种面罩将氧气泵入他的肺部，医生说已经“暂停”使用弗朗西斯在2月下旬经历了一系列呼吸危机后戴上了通气面罩三月初在此期间，他无法排出积聚在肺部的粘液和液体。
暂停使用口罩意味着弗朗西斯的肺部正在更努力、更好地自行工作。
随着方济各慢慢继续康复，梵蒂冈也再次减少了医疗更新，预计下一次康复不会在周一之前进行。
意大利总统塞尔吉奥·马塔雷拉致信方济各，赞扬他担任教皇的举措，以此纪念他就任教皇12周年。马塔雷拉对他继续担任教皇致以最良好的祝愿，并“衷心祝愿他早日康复。”
Vatican says Pope Francis no longer needs mechanical help to breathe
ROME --ROME (AP) —Pope Francis’ condition continued to improve Wednesday and he hasn't needed to use the mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe, the Vatican said in signalling further progress in his recovery from double pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pontiff is also reducing his reliance on high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin. His pneumonia infection, while not completely eliminated, is under control, the Holy See press office said.
Francis concelebrated Mass on Wednesday, which is an important feast day for the Catholic Church and is the anniversary of his installation as pope 12 years ago.
Francis has been at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14 for a complex lung infection that turned into pneumonia in both lungs. He has been receiving respiratory and physical therapy to helpstrengthen his lungs.
For two nights in a row, he hasn't needed to use the noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask, which pumps oxygen into his lungs, and doctors said its use had been “suspended.” Francis was put on the ventilation mask after he suffered a spate of respiratory crises in late February andearly Marchduring which he was unable to expel the mucus and fluid that had accumulated in his lungs.
Suspending use of the mask means Francis' lungs are working harder and better on their own.
The Vatican is also again reducing its medical updates as Francis slowly continues his recovery, with the next one not expected before Monday.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella commemorated the 12th anniversary of Francis’ installation as pope by sending him a letter praising his initiatives as pope. Mattarella offered best wishes for the continuation of his pontificate and “all the more heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.”
