<![CDATA[ Sinais de melhoria da saúde do Papa dão esperança a peregrinos em Roma ]]>

The signs of clinical stabilization of Pope Francis, confirmed this Tuesday by the Vatican, gave hope to many pilgrims who walk the streets adjacent to St. Peter's Square, Rome.

Ana Campezzi came from Rio de Janeiro with her daughter and son-in-law to try to resolve her pending application for Italian citizenship. This Tuesday she decided to come to the Vatican, also because of the news she has been seeing.

"He's not well, he gets better, he gets worse. In short, he's a man who deserves our concern," said the 55-year-old Brazilian, who says she "prays a lot for Pope Francis' health."

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis, 88, who is hospitalized in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, remained stable.

"The Pope rested well throughout the night," the Vatican said in a brief statement on the 12th day of Francis' hospitalization, his longest since his election in 2013.

On Monday, the afternoon clinical report indicated that Pope Francis' clinical condition had shown a slight improvement, with doctors reminding that, given the complexity of the clinical picture, caution was needed and that a reserved prognosis was maintained.

On Monday evening, cardinals residing in Rome joined other religious and lay people in prayer for the health of the leader of the Catholic Church.

A night rosary that Ana Campezzi did not attend, as she was unaware of the event. The Brazilian calls herself a "more or less Catholic" because she believes in God, but follows an evangelical confession.

"We are all believers, and the Pope is the Pope, he is one of those who guides us to God," he said, as he waited in line to enter the Vatican museums.

A few meters away was Helena Santiago from Lisbon, who is in Rome on a trip to Italy: "it's a week and the Vatican is a must".

A non-practicing Catholic, Helena says she hopes the Pope improves. "He was very important for everyone, for those who have faith and those who don't. He is a lucid and reasonable voice in a crazy world," explains the 36-year-old teacher.

Pope Francis' clinical condition showed a slight improvement on Monday, with doctors reminding that, given the complexity of the clinical picture, "prudence" was necessary and that a "guarded prognosis" was maintained.

In the clinical report released on Monday evening by the doctors who are treating the Pope at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, it is indicated that Francis showed a slight improvement in laboratory tests, which allowed him to resume some work.

"Today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory crisis: some laboratory tests improved. Monitoring of mild renal failure is not a concern. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced oxygen flow and percentage", reads the medical bulletin.

In this sense, doctors, "taking into account the complexity of the clinical picture, still prudently maintain the [reserved] prognosis".

The Pope was hospitalized on February 14, following pneumonia in both lungs, and had a respiratory crisis on Friday, which worsened his health.

The Vatican on Tuesday handed out a series of papal appointments to senior positions in Rome and around the world, a sign that the pontiff is back to carrying out some tasks.

Among several appointments, the Pope accepted the resignation of Gorgônio Neto, from the Brazilian diocese of Itapetininga (São Paulo, naming Luiz Ricci as his successor.

He also appointed Jailton Lino as bishop of Itabuna (Bahia) and several auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.

In addition, Francis completed the appointment of those responsible for the Government of the Vatican City State, following the reform of the Curia on 13 May 2023.

In the decree released this Tuesday, the Pope confirmed the appointment of Franciscan nun Raffaella Petrini to lead that body, the first woman to hold such a high-ranking position in the Roman Curia, with powers to manage the Holy See, second only to the pontiff.