Doctor Juan Baltar, who is the physician for Venezuelan Cardinal Rosalio Castillo Lara, said this week the cardinal is in “delicate” health and “critical condition” but that despite suffering from a serious illness “we still are hopeful he can improve.”

The cardinal is “seriously ill and in critical condition,” Dr.Baltar said, and “anyone who is critically ill can take a turn for worse at any moment; however, that is not what we expect at this time, nothing is imminent.  This is a very sick person who still has hope,” he told a local radio station.

“Although the illness may be serious and the prognosis may be quite reserved, there is still hope.  His condition is not yet irreversible,” the doctor said.