Pope Francis remains stable in hospital and a chest scan confirmed improvements in his condition, the Vatican has said, in a further sign of progress as he battles double pneumonia.
The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on 14 February with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.
In its latest medical update, the Vatican said the Pope's clinical condition was stable.
It said that a chest X-ray performed yesterday had "confirmed improvements observed in previous days".
Pope Francis has been described as in a stable or improving condition for more than a week, but the Vatican has not given a timeframe for his discharge from hospital.
His doctors said on Monday that he was no longer in immediate danger of death, after three weeks of treatment that included four acute respiratory crises.
He is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
Pope Francis, who has been receiving oxygen throughout his stay in hospital, has been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing.
He has also continued with physical therapy to help with mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.
Francis, who will celebrate the 12th anniversary of his 2013 election as Pope tomorrow, has not been seen in public since entering hospital, the longest such absence of his papacy.
Doctors not involved in Pope Francis' care have said that he is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.
The Vatican has not released any images of him in hospital, but he did record a brief audio message to thank well-wishers last week.
