Cardinal Baldassare Reina led the daily vigil Thursday in St. Peter’s Square to pray for Pope Francis. The pope continued to improve from double pneumonia, the Vatican said, though doctors said he needs more days of “clinical stability” before they revise their guarded prognosis.

The Vatican said Pope Francis' overall condition remained stationary, but that blood tests showed a "slight improvement" in key inflammation indices.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition and resting Wednesday, as Argentines and Romans alike gathered in the Eternal City to pray for his recovery from double pneumonia. The Vatican’s short morning update said: “The pope had a peaceful night and is resting.

Pope Francis was a frequent visitor to Rome long before he became pope, and over time found his favorite shops and artisans who are now pulling for him as he battles double pneumonia. “The pope is by now a friend,

"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory indices," said the Vatican in a statement later on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, the Vatican said medical tests and a chest X-ray showed "a complex picture".

Pope Francis has now been in hospital for 13 days, struggling to overcome double pneumonia. Wednesday morning, the Vatican press office reported the 80 eight-year-old pontiff had had *** tranquil night and was resting.

Pope Francis was sitting upright and receiving therapy for double pneumonia Wednesday, the Vatican said, as Argentines, Romans and others kept up the steady stream of prayers

Ballons for Pope Francis are seen at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/)

Sister Maximilian Marie Garretson with Bishop Reicher High School took a group last month to Rome, Italy to see and interact with The Pope, having a connection to him forever back in Central Texas.

Pope Francis on Sunday was flooded with get-well cards and hand-drawn greetings from schoolchildren in Rome as the Holy Father continues to battle a series of medical emergencies in the city’s Gemelli hospital.

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following a respiratory crisis that required blood transfusions.