Medical expert on new photo: Pope Francis has aged five years

The first photo of Pope Francis after more than four weeks has triggered new speculation about his state of health. "It looks as if he has aged at least five years in a month," said Matteo Bassetti, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Genoa, to the daily newspaper "Il Messaggero" (Monday). He does not believe that Francis will be able to continue to fulfil the duties of a pope to the full extent, according to the physician, who is often quoted in Italy.

In the photo published by the Vatican on Sunday evening, the 88-year-old can be seen from the side, sitting slightly slumped in front of the altar in the chapel in the private wing of the Gemelli Clinic. He had previously concelebrated mass there - for the first time since his admission on 14 February. Francis is wearing a priest's stole and his facial features are barely recognisable. His severely swollen right hand is striking.

The photo shows a suffering patient, Bassetti continued. In view of the multiple respiratory infections, it is a miracle that the Pope is still alive at all. The decisive factor now is how dependent he is on medical oxygen supply. The infections he has survived usually leave "devastation in his breathing".

"Signs of improvement"

In contrast, the President of the Italian Society of Internal Medicine, Nicola Montano, spoke of a "generally not negative" overall picture and "signs of improvement". After all, the pontiff appears to be doing something, albeit sitting down, according to the expert. The swollen hand points to water retention, possibly as a result of the long intravenous fluid intake.

It is still too early to make any assumptions about a discharge date, said Montano. Above all, the Pope would have to be able to breathe more independently again. Most recently, the Vatican said that the Pope was receiving high doses of oxygen through nasal cannulas during the day; however, the use of the breathing mask at night, which completely relieves the lungs, had been reduced. (KNA)