The Vatican has said that Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised and in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, was showing a “slight improvement”
The Vatican, however, cautioned that doctors would not offer a prognosis.
The health of the 88-year-old has been a major concern globally, especially for Catholics.
But the Vatican said in its evening bulletin that “the critical clinical conditions of the Holy Father demonstrate a slight improvement.”
“Today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory attacks; some laboratory tests have improved,” it said.
The Vatican noted that the holy father had worked in the afternoon after receiving the Eucharist in the morning.
According to the report via Channels, a few hundred faithful joined dozens of cardinals assembled in St Peter’s Square to recite the rosary on Monday evening.
The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin led the prayer for the 85-year-old.
DAILY POST reported that Pope Francis was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties.
His health condition worsened, with his bronchitis developing into double pneumonia.
Oxygen that has been administered in recent days was given Monday “with slightly reduced flows and percentage of oxygen,” the Vatican said.
It cautioned, however, that “considering the complexity of the clinical picture” doctors declined to “decide on the prognosis”.
The Vatican has been issuing twice-daily updates on the pope, and earlier Monday said he spent a peaceful night.
Pope Francis has been the leader of the Catholic Church since 2013.