Pope Francis showed modest improvement in laboratory tests on Monday and resumed select work activities, the Vatican reported. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling pneumonia in both lungs, was noted to have not experienced any further respiratory crises.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work, the Vatican said, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.

The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition but has showed slight improvement in laboratory tests. He has resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.

Even while Pope Francis is hospitalized, he still keeps in touch with a Roman Catholic parish in Gaza City, making near-nightly phone calls to the priest and congregation there.

Pope Francis spends “a peaceful night” at Rome‘s Gemelli Hospital and has breakfast while sitting in an armchair on Thursday morning, the Vatican tells journalists on Feb. 20.

Pope Francis showed improvement in his health, allowing him to resume some work activities, including reaching out to a Gaza City parish. Despite suffering from pneumonia, the Vatican's bulletin was optimistic,

Pope Francis, currently in critical condition with pneumonia, shows slight improvement. He resumed work, including contacting a parish in Gaza City. Despite his guarded prognosis, spirits remain high as nightly prayers occur in St.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will lead a public recitation of the rosary at 9 p.m. Feb. 24 in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis had a peaceful night in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican said early Wednesday in its latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff’s health.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work, the Vatican said, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.

The slight kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was not causing current alarm, doctors said, but they were guarded on his prognosis.