Pope Francis, spending his seventh day in hospital as he battles pneumonia, is alert and got out of bed to eat breakfast on Thursday morning, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old pontiff is undergoing treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital,

Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the management, staff and patients of Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the hospital's donation to the Holy See, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, March 16, 2024. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/ File Photo

Pope Francis’ overall clinical condition is “improving slightly” and his heart is working well as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican said Thursday, as some of his cardinals cheered him on and insisted that the Catholic Church was very much alive and well even in his absence.

Pope Francis had breakfast on his seventh day in hospital, the Vatican said on Thursday in its latest update on his health. Pope Francis is suffering from double pneumonia, the Vatican said on Tuesday,

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has the onset of double pneumonia, the Vatican said on Tuesday, complicating treatment for the 88-year pontiff and indicating a further deterioration in his fragile health. Francis has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14.

In an update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that Francis has no fever and that his health indicators remain stable.

A view shows the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is admitted to continue treatment for his ongoing respiratory tract infection, in Rome, Italy, February 19,

Pope Francis, in hospital for double pneumonia, is improving slightly, has no fever, and his blood analyses are stable, the Vatican said on Thursday.