Pope Francis has had a “tranquil night” and is now sitting upright as he continues hospital treatment for pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican has said.
The pontiff, 88, who remains in a critical but stable condition has been in hospital since 14 February.
Doctors have said he is not out of danger but has not had any further respiratory problems since Saturday.
On Wednesday, the Vatican said the Pope had a “tranquil night and is resting”, adding he was sitting in his armchair.
Officials said they hoped to have information later about the results of a CT scan taken on Tuesday to check on the status of his complex lung infection.
Pilgrims have descended on Rome’s Gemelli hospital to be closer to Pope Francis.
They have been lighting candles and leaving him cards and gifts at the statue of St John Paul II near the entrance.
On Wednesday, a group of 50 pilgrims from the Spanish island of Menorca visited, saying they wanted to be as close to him as possible.
Crowds gathered outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday. Pic: AP
Pilgrims have been praying for the pontiff. Pic: Reuters
Candles, flowers and other gifts have been laid outside the hospital. Pic: AP
“When a family has someone who is sick it is very important that they are surrounded, it is necessary that everyone is near to them, and all the people of God are close the Pope,” said Bishop Gerardo Villalonga, who was leading the group.
On Tuesday night, the faithful from Francis’s homeland gathered in the Argentinian church of Rome for a special mass.
Worshippers at the Argentinian church of Rome for a special mass on Tuesday. Pic: Reuters
Prayers were said by the faithful from the Pope’s homeland at the Santa Maria Addolorata church in Rome. Pic: Reuters
The rector of the church, Reverend Fernando Laguna, said he hoped the Pope could feel the embrace of the community’s prayer from the hospital where he is recovering.
“I can’t go to Gemelli, because for him to recover he must be isolated,” he said.
“I know that I hug him and that he hugs me when I pray. And now I would like to embrace the Pope.”
Francis continued to work from the hospital, and on Tuesday announced some major governing decisions that suggest he is getting essential work done and looking ahead.
