Pope Francis spent his seventh day in hospital on Thursday, where he is being treated for pneumonia, as cardinals expressed their concern but not alarm at his condition.
The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital last Friday with bronchitis, but it later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking widespread alarm.
In a morning update Thursday, the Vatican said he had spent a peaceful night in hospital, "got up and had breakfast in his armchair".
The evening before, the Vatican said the pope's blood tests had shown a "slight improvement" and his clinical conditions were stable.
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Vatican sources said that despite his illness the Argentine pope was still trying to work, reading and signing documents, writing, speaking with colleagues and keeping up with the news.
"We are all worried about the pope," said Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, head of Italy's bishops conference.
But the fact that Francis was eating and meeting people "means that we are on the right path to a full recovery, which we hope will happen soon", he added.
Francis had enough energy on Wednesday to receive Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a 20-minute visit at the Gemelli's special papal suite.
She later described him as "alert and responsive", saying in a statement: "We joked as always. He hasn't lost his proverbial sense of humour."
<h2><hl2>Angelus uncertain</hl2></h2>
The pope has already cancelled his appointments on his calendar this week, including a Saturday audience and Sunday mass at St Peter's Basilica.
But it was still not clear whether the pope would give the traditional Angelus prayer at midday.
Francis missed it last Sunday, but has during previous spells from hospital delivered it from the Gemelli balcony.
"We still don't know how it will work," said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Thursday.
The double-pneumonia diagnosis for the pope comes after a series of health issues in recent years: from colon and hernia surgery to problems walking and pain in his hip and knee.
The Vatican has been issuing regular updates, however banal, in a bid to counter widespread speculation -- particularly online -- that he is dying or even dead.
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Wednesday evening's statement pointed to a modest change for the better.
"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory indices," read the statement.
Following breakfast, Francis "dedicated himself to work activities with his closest collaborators", it added.
A Vatican source had on Wednesday said the pope was "breathing on his own. His heart is holding up very well".
<h2><hl2>'Confident he'll make it'</hl2></h2>
The pope, who has been head of the Catholic Church since 2013, keeps a full schedule despite his age and ailments, and this year is busy with celebrations of the holy Jubilee year.
But in the days before his hospital admission, he was struggling to read his homilies.
The pontiff -- whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio -- had part of his right lung cut away when he was 21, after developing pleurisy that almost killed him.
Candles, some with pictures of the pope on them, have been set at the bottom of a statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital.
In St Peter's Square on Thursday, Romanian tourist Suzanna Munteanu told AFP she worried over Francis's health but was "confident that he will make it.
"I love this pope... Pope Bergoglio, very much, and he's very dear to me, especially that he cares for the poor people, and I do hope he will recover very soon," she added.
The pope has left open the option of resigning were he to become unable to carry out his duties, as his predecessor, Benedict XVI, did.
But in a memoir last year, Francis said it was just a "distant possibility" that would be justified only in the event of "a serious physical impediment".
French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline told reporters Thursday that "of course there is worry, it's normal.
"I'm not worried about his lucidity," Aveline said, adding that the pope was "a fighter", in the sense of "his relationship with the Lord and what he understands of what he must do".
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.
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World: The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital last Friday with bronchitis, but it later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking widespread alarm.

Pope Francis spent his seventh day in hospital on Thursday, where he is being treated for pneumonia, as cardinals expressed their concern but not alarm at his condition. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital last Friday with bronchitis, but it later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking widespread alarm. In a morning update Thursday, the Vatican said he had spent a peaceful night in hospital, "got up and had breakfast in his armchair". The evening before, the Vatican said the pope's blood tests had shown a "slight improvement" and his clinical conditions were stable. Also read: Pope Francis' funeral ‘being rehearsed’ as Swiss Guard 'prepare'; Italy PM Meloni visits pontiff: Reports Vatican sources said that despite his illness the Argentine pope was still trying to work, reading and signing documents, writing, speaking with colleagues and keeping up with the news. "We are all worried about the pope," said Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, head of Italy's bishops conference. But the fact that Francis was eating and meeting people "means that we are on the right path to a full recovery, which we hope will happen soon", he added. Francis had enough energy on Wednesday to receive Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for a 20-minute visit at the Gemelli's special papal suite. She later described him as "alert and responsive", saying in a statement: "We joked as always. He hasn't lost his proverbial sense of humour." Angelus uncertain The pope has already cancelled his appointments on his calendar this week, including a Saturday audience and Sunday mass at St Peter's Basilica. But it was still not clear whether the pope would give the traditional Angelus prayer at midday. Francis missed it last Sunday, but has during previous spells from hospital delivered it from the Gemelli balcony. "We still don't know how it will work," said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Thursday. The double-pneumonia diagnosis for the pope comes after a series of health issues in recent years: from colon and hernia surgery to problems walking and pain in his hip and knee. The Vatican has been issuing regular updates, however banal, in a bid to counter widespread speculation -- particularly online -- that he is dying or even dead. Also read: Who could be the next pontiff after Pope Francis? Here's the list of potential successors Wednesday evening's statement pointed to a modest change for the better. "The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory indices," read the statement. Following breakfast, Francis "dedicated himself to work activities with his closest collaborators", it added. A Vatican source had on Wednesday said the pope was "breathing on his own. His heart is holding up very well". 'Confident he'll make it' The pope, who has been head of the Catholic Church since 2013, keeps a full schedule despite his age and ailments, and this year is busy with celebrations of the holy Jubilee year. But in the days before his hospital admission, he was struggling to read his homilies. The pontiff -- whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio -- had part of his right lung cut away when he was 21, after developing pleurisy that almost killed him. Candles, some with pictures of the pope on them, have been set at the bottom of a statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital. In St Peter's Square on Thursday, Romanian tourist Suzanna Munteanu told AFP she worried over Francis's health but was "confident that he will make it. "I love this pope... Pope Bergoglio, very much, and he's very dear to me, especially that he cares for the poor people, and I do hope he will recover very soon," she added. The pope has left open the option of resigning were he to become unable to carry out his duties, as his predecessor, Benedict XVI, did. But in a memoir last year, Francis said it was just a "distant possibility" that would be justified only in the event of "a serious physical impediment". French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline told reporters Thursday that "of course there is worry, it's normal. "I'm not worried about his lucidity," Aveline said, adding that the pope was "a fighter", in the sense of "his relationship with the Lord and what he understands of what he must do". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Pope Francis health update: Pontiff 'sitting up, eating' on seventh day in hospital

A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass.

A day after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis addressed thousands of faithful at Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square. The head of the Roman Catholic church wore his customary long white coat while presiding over the mass. The Pope thanked those who prayed for him during the illness saying, "I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers, which intensified during these past days. Thank you!" According to Christian customs, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem in the time leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday. It is one of the longest services on the Church's calendar as the Pope managed to get through it, despite his voice sounding hoarse, due to the bronchitis infection. He read a 15-minute long speech and sermonised about love and compassion to the followers gathered. "Brothers and sisters, a love like this, embracing us totally and to the very end, can turn our stony hearts into hearts of flesh, and make them capable of mercy, tenderness, and compassion", said Pope Francis. He explained that Christ, in his abandonment, "stirs us to seek him and to love him and those who are themselves abandoned". The upcoming Holy Week is expected to be busy for Pope as he partakes in numerous appointments as well as other shindigs. Notably, the Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday after reportedly experiencing respiratory issues after his weekly public audience. According to the Vatican, Pope France received antibiotics intravenously for his condition, reported Associated Press. While leaving the hospital, the Pope quipped, "I'm still alive" much to the amusement of reporters. WATCH | Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican City after hospital stay × Pope on multiple occasions has hinted that he may step down, akin to his predecessor Benedict XVI due to poor health. “I don’t think I can continue doing trips with the same rhythm as before. I think that at my age and with this limitation I have to preserve (my strength) a bit in order to be able to serve the Church, or decide to step aside," he was quoted as saying last year. ALSO READ | ‘I’m still alive,’ quips Pope Francis after discharge from hospital post bronchitis treatment (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'I thank you': Pope Francis presides over Palm Sunday mass, a day after being discharged from hospital

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis needs to spend a few days in the hospital in Rome due to a respiratory ailment. The 86-year-old has recently developed respiratory problems, according to a statement. US slams Myanmar's ruling Junta

Pope Francis in hospital for respiratory problems; US slams Myanmar's ruling Junta