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

Crowds are gathering in Vatican City and Rome to pray for the speedy recovery of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff has shown slight signs of improvement since he was diagnosed with pneumonia last week,

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis for 20 minutes in the hospital Wednesday and reported he was “alert and responsive” and full of good humor, despite his diagnosis of

Mark at Hospital With Pneumonia and Doctors Suggest He's Overcome the Worst ROME (AP) — Pope Francis reached the two-week mark recovery from pneumonia Friday as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection while holding out on declaring him out of danger entirely.

The Vatican No. 2 led faithful in a somber night-time prayer on Monday as Pope Francis continued to battle pneumonia in both lungs at a hospital in Rome.

"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".

Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has visited the Pope in hospital, where he has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday with a respiratory infection.

The Vatican, though, made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week, making clear Francis still had a long road ahead. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, a Vatican official and former vicar of Rome, will preside over the March 5 ceremony and procession that inaugurates the church’s solemn Lenten season leading up to Easter in April.

The Vatican is making alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week as Pope Francis recovers from pneumonia. ROME — Pope Francis reached the two-week mark in his recovery from pneumonia Friday as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection but held out on declaring him out of danger entirely.

Pope Francis has been in hospital for 11 days, with recent blood tests show early, mild kidney failure after he experienced a respiratory crisis. The 88-year-old pontiff is suffering from pneumonia in both his lungs.

Pope Francis is alert and still making jokes despite having double pneumonia, Italy's prime minister said Wednesday after visiting the 88-year-old pontiff in hospital. Jesuit theologian Antonio Spadaro,