Pope Francis had quiet night, is resting, says Vatican

Images of Pope Francis are seen outside Gemelli Hospital, where he is admitted for treatment in Rome. (Image: Reuters)

Pope Francis has shown a further improvement in his medical condition, as he spent a "quiet night", the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

The pope spends his 14th day at Rome's Gemelli hospital today, the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year-old papacy.

"The Pope had a quiet night and is resting," the latest statement by the Holy See Press Office informed, Vatican News reported.

The earlier update on Pope Francis’ health noted his "clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable."

"In the evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to radiologically monitor the bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains guarded," continued Tuesday evening's statement. "In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities.”

The pope has been considered to be in critical condition since Saturday. Despite the pope's improvements, the Vatican said his prognosis was still "guarded".

The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, Feb. 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis. He is currently being treated for double pneumonia.

Argentines, Romans and others have kept up the steady stream of prayers for his recovery. Meanwhile, the Holy See machinery has ground on, with the announcement of new bishops and a new church fundraising initiative.

Francis has been working from his hospital room, and the daily grind of the Vatican bureaucracy has been continuing in his absence. On Wednesday the Vatican said Francis had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to encourage donations to the Holy See, which has been enduring a financial crisis for years, Reuters reported.