Pope Francis has suspended the use of an oxygen mask, the Vatican said on Wednesday, adding that the 88-year-old’s clinical condition was “improving” after more than one month in hospital.

The Argentine pope has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14 suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, but the Vatican has reported recent progress after earlier worries that his life could be at risk.

“The Holy Father’s clinical conditions are confirmed to be improving,” wrote the Vatican in a medical bulletin.

He has “suspended non-invasive mechanical ventilation and also reduced the need for high-flow oxygen therapy”, it said, adding that there was progress in the pope’s motor and respiratory physiotherapy.

The press office later cautioned, however, that suspension of the oxygen mask did not mean it could not be reintroduced further down the line, and added that Francis’s discharge from hospital was “not imminent”.

Francis’s pneumonia has not been “eliminated”, but was “under control”, it said.

At the weekend, the Vatican said the Jesuit still required therapies to be administered from the hospital.

After a series of breathing attacks earlier in the pope’s hospital stay, his breathing has improved over the past week, with the Vatican on Monday saying he was spending short moments breathing on his own.

During the day he has relied on a cannula — a plastic tube tucked into his nostrils — to deliver high-flow oxygen, which doctors are now reducing.

Until this week, Francis had worn an oxygen mask, but on Tuesday the Vatican said he had managed without one for the first time.

In a sign of the progress the pope has made over the past week, the Vatican’s press office said the next medical bulletin would likely not come before Monday.

For most of the pope’s hospital stay, including critical stages, the Vatican was publishing daily bulletins on the health of Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man.

The pope’s illness and long spell in hospital has raised questions over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar.

The Vatican’s press office on Wednesday said that no definite decisions had been taken yet in that regard.

AFP

The Senate has announced plans to debate the motion on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State during Thursday’s plenary session. This was confirmed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-Parliamentary Committee, during a briefing in Abuja.

The motion, titled ‘Proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers’ was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and included in Wednesday’s Order Paper but was not debated. Ibrahim assured that it would be thoroughly discussed on Thursday without further delay.

Explaining the postponement, Ibrahim noted that Ramadan observance played a role. “Tomorrow morning, members will be informed. They are fasting and praying today at home,” Ibrahim stated during the briefing. “By 10 o’clock, they will be present, and we shall commence debate. Life and security matters are serious and cannot be treated lightly,” he added.

Ibrahim defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare the emergency, explaining that democratic institutions in Rivers were temporarily suspended, not dissolved, for six months to address the crisis. “The President did not dissolve democratic institutions. Suspension for six months allows time for dialogue and resolution,” Ibrahim emphasized. He highlighted that this measure was designed to foster peace and stability in Rivers State and align with constitutional provisions.

Addressing suggestions that the motion was postponed due to a lack of quorum, Ibrahim dismissed such claims, stating, “Two-thirds of the Senate equals 73. On Tuesday, 78 senators signed the register, including presiding and principal officers.” He explained that the decision to adjourn was to enable broader participation in Thursday’s session.

“Democracy values numbers and participation. We decided to adjourn for more inclusivity. Today, 68 senators signed in. Although there are 10 Senate leaders to reach, we had more than a quorum. We could have proceeded but avoided passing the proclamation while members were fasting or absent, to prevent misunderstandings,” Ibrahim clarified.

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is based on Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants the President the authority to take extraordinary measures in situations involving serious security threats. However, for the proclamation to remain valid, it must be debated and approved by the National Assembly within two days; otherwise, it will automatically expire.

Many citizens, however, have raised concerns that the decision could face legal challenges, particularly since it is perceived as unconstitutional or politically driven.

As the Senate prepares to deliberate, both legal and political analysts are keeping a close eye on the developments, anticipating how this unprecedented situation will play out in the days ahead.

A member of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress, Ademorin Kuye, says the National Assembly will support the state of emergency declared in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu in defence of democracy.

Kuye, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, stated this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the primary responsibility of every government was the protection of lives and property of citizens.

According to him, the legislature is always the first victim if anything happens to democracy, hence the need for the national assembly to always defend democracy at all costs.

He said that the lawmakers would support the president’s state of emergency proclamation, notwithstanding their respective political party affiliations.

The lawmaker recalled that the Ninth National Assembly intervened in the crisis that rocked the Edo House of Assembly and amicably resolved the matter in defence of democracy.

“Without sentiment, we are going to defend democracy. In a situation where there is a breakdown of law and order, no responsible government will keep quiet and allow the anarchy to continue,” he said.

Kuye, who represents Somolu Federal Constituency of Lagos, also recalled that Tinubu had intervened in the lingering political crisis in the state, adding, however, that the warring parties preferred to take the matter to court.

He said that in spite of the Supreme Court judgment, the crisis had still persisted, leading to the destruction of oil pipelines and other government facilities that cost a lot to put in place.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Tinubu had, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Gov. Ngozi Odu and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.

Relying on section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the president appointed Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas to take charge of the affairs of the state.

Tinubu, in the nationwide broadcast, said that the latest security reports showed disturbing incidents of vandalism of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them.

He said a stern order had been given to security agencies to ensure the safety of the lives of the people of Rivers and the oil pipelines.

NAN reports that emergency rule required a two-thirds majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

However, both chambers have yet to vote on the matter.

NAN