The 88-year-old has been monitored closely by doctors for more than a week
In an update this morning, the Vatican said that Pope Francis had “rested well all night”.
This follows yesterday’s announcement that the Pope had shown signs of improvement, but remains in a critical condition as he continues to battle a lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency.
“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, although critical, show a slight improvement. Even today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory crises; some laboratory tests have improved,” the statement read.
Doctors said on late Sunday he was in critical condition but he hadn’t experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday.
Francis was receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen and, on Sunday, was alert, and responsive, and even attended mass in the hospital chapel on Sunday with those caring for him.
Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease. He had part of one lung removed as a young man.
They have warned that the main threat facing Francis is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia. They said his prognosis is reserved.
To date, there has been no reference to any onset of sepsis in the medical updates provided by the Vatican, including on Sunday.
The Holy Father asked well-wishers to “pray for me,” as he said in a statement: “In recent days, I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.
“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”
The update from the Vatican included the news that Pope Francis has resumed some light duties from hospital, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he’s kept in touch with since the war began.
On Monday, hundreds of people from Argentina, where the Pope’s originally from, gathered at Constitution Square, in Buenos Aires, to pray for Pope Francis’ health. The prayers were led by Jorge Garcia Cuerva, Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
The Pope has been in hospital for over a week, and once again missed the traditional Angelus prayer for the second Sunday in a row.
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