Pope Francis is still critically ill as he battles double pneumonia, but his condition has shown a "slight improvement", the Vatican said.
The 88-year-old pontiff is spending his 11th night in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, making it the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year papacy.
"The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement," said the latest health update.
The Pope, it said, was still receiving oxygen, "although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage."
It added that the "mild kidney insufficiency", which was first reported on Sunday, was "not a cause for concern".
A Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the Pope's condition, earlier said that Francis was eating normally and was able to get up and move about his hospital room.
The statement said the Pope had resumed work in the afternoon and had called the parish priest of Gaza in the evening.
Yesterday, the Vatican described the Pope's condition as critical for a second day. On Saturday, it said the Pope had needed a blood transfusion after experiencing a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis".
Today's update said the Pope had not had further respiratory crises and that some of his laboratory tests "have improved".
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
The Vatican has described the Pope's infection as "complex," and said it was caused by two or more microorganisms.
Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health over the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
This morning, the Vatican said the Pope was conscious and "not in pain".
It added: "The night passed well, the Pope slept and is resting."
Francis "woke up and is continuing his treatment", a Vatican source said.
He "can get out of bed", "is not in pain", was eating "normally" and was even "in a good mood", the source said.
La messa organizzata dal Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli e dalla sede romana della @Unicatt, presieduta da monsignor Claudio Giuliodori, assistente ecclesiastico generale dell'ateneo, per esprimere vicinanza e sostegno al #Papa in questo momento di prova e di sofferenza pic.twitter.com/qjyvFpOMNu
— Vatican News (@vaticannews_it) February 24, 2025
Cardinals in Rome and members of the public were expected for a prayer for the pope in St Peter's Square this evening led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state.
'Hope against hope'
Gemelli's chaplain, Nunzio Corrao, led a special prayer, saying it was time to "hope against hope" for Francis' recovery.
Well-wishers left candles outside the hospital, where Francis is in a tenth-floor papal suite.
Abele Donati, head of the anaesthesia and intensive care unit at the Marche University Hospital, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that renal failure "could signal the presence of sepsis in the early stages".
"It is the body's response to an ongoing infection, in this case of the two lungs," he said.
Professor Sergio Alfieri, who leads the Gemelli medical team, warned on Friday that "the real risk in these cases is that the germs pass into the blood", which could result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Francis' hospitalisation has sparked fears over his recovery.
"At this moment in history, one feels the need for his figure," Jesuit theologian Reverend Antonio Spadaro, who is close to Francis, told the Repubblica newspaper.
There were "many people around the world, including those in positions of responsibility, who are genuinely concerned because they know that Francis is one of the few who is able to connect the dots in a world that seems to be split", he said.
'Open heart'
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg said Catholics and non-Catholics alike love Francis because "he welcomes everyone, without distinction, with an open heart".
"He has returned the Church to its most authentic nature... A close Church which consoles, listens and accompanies," he said.
The condition of the pope, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has fuelled speculation about whether he might resign.
He has always been open to following his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to step down because of his physical and mental health.
But Francis has repeatedly said it was not the time.
Reverend Spadaro agreed that a resignation should not be discussed now.
"The pope is vigilant, he is exercising his pastoral duty even from his hospital bed, and - although in a different, less visible manner - he manifests his presence," he said.
German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller told Corriere della Sera "the pope is alive and this is the moment to pray, not think about his successor".
But had added: "We all must die. There is no eternal earthly life. The pope has a special task, but he is a man like all men."
Outside Gemelli Hospital, groups were gathering to pray for Pope Francis near a statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was treated at the facility many times over his1978-2005 papacy.
Maria Vozlv, a Ukrainian who has lived in Rome for 18 years, said many in her home country were praying for Pope Francis.
The pontiff has often decried the three-year-old war in Ukraine and prayed for peace.
"We Ukrainians are really praying for him," Ms Vozlv said. "He needs to get well and come home."
Archbishop Martin urges prayers for health of Pope
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has called for prayers for the health of Pope Francis.
Archbishop Eamon Martin's call comes after Vatican announced the start of nighttime prayers for the health of the pope in St Peter’s Square, inviting others around the world to join in.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, he said that this was a chance for people to be with the pope in prayer.
"People are going to gather in St Peter’s Square at 9pm, that’s 8pm Irish time, to say the rosary, to pray for the Holy Father at this time and to pray for his recovery, if that’s God’s will," he said.
Archbishop Martin said that Ireland’s connection with the 88-year-old pontiff is "very special."
"He was here for the World Meeting of the Families back in 2018, and he had that same spirit, which we've gotten to know; that spirit of humility, of wanting to encounter people, to be with people," he said.
The Archbishop added: "He went over to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin to meet the homeless and the hungry, he met with survivors of abuse...then he went over to Knock and prayed there at the shrine.
"I think that closeness is what people know about Pope Francis, his wanting to serve, his wanting to be humble and be with people where they’re at, so now we can be with him in prayer."
