The recovery of Pope Francis from double pneumonia in the hospital starts his fourth week, with questions that are called about what the future of his papacy could look like.
The Pontiff followed the opening of a spiritual retreat by video conference yesterday, but could not be seen or heard by priests, bishops and cardinals in the Vatican auditorium.
The Pope remains in the Gemelli hospital of Rome, where he was recorded on February 14, prior to the 12th anniversary of his election on Thursday.
In his early update on Monday, the Vatican said that Francis was resting after a quiet night.
At the time of his hospitalization last month, the 88-year-old Pope, who has chronic lung disease and had removed part of one lung as a young man, who was simply a bad case of bronchitis at the time.
The infection progressed in a complex airway infection and double pneumonia that Francis put offside for the longest period of his papacy and asked questions about the future.
He has remained in a stable state for more than a week, without fever, respiratory crises and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors reported.
The doctors said that such stability in themselves was a positive matter and showed that he responded well to therapy.
But they kept his prognosis as 'guarded', which means that he is not in danger. Doctors were expected to provide a medical update later on Monday.
The pope followed the opening of a spiritual retreat yesterday by video conference, but could not be seen or heard (file image)
Religious attend a rosary prayer for the health of Pope Francis who was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, on St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, March 9
A statement about the Pope's X account yesterday: 'I think of the many people who find different ways to be close to the sick and to become a sign of the Lord's presence for them.
“We need this” miracle of tenderness “to accompany those who are confronted with adversity to bring a little light into the night of pain.”
The Vatican will mark the election anniversary of the Pontiff in his absence, making it the first birthday with him out of sight.
Francis was voted the 266th Pope, the first Jesuit patch and first from Latin -America, on 13 March 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
On Sunday, Francis met Cardinal Pietro Parolin and De Staff Chef, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, for the third time in the hospital.
Such meetings are the routine way in which the pope rules and shows that Francis still keeps track of the essential matters.
Although Francis Benedict has previously praised for his courage and humility in resignation, he recently indicated that he believes that the task of Pope is for life and that he already said last year that he had no plans to resign.
The pope remains in the Gemelli hospital of Rome, where he was admitted on 14 February. Shown: believers, priests and nuns pray outside yesterday
Francis has used high streams of additional oxygen to help him breathe during the day and at night a non -invasive mechanical ventilation mask.
The Vatican is currently observing a spiritual retreat of a week, with the pope listening to the opening of the Roberto Pasolini from his hospital room yesterday.
Pasolini delivered a meditation about 'The Hope of Eternal Life', a theme that was chosen well before Francis was admitted.
The retreat, an annual meeting that kicks off the solemn Lenten season of the Catholic Church, leads to Easter, continues all week.
The Vatican said that Francis would participate 'in spiritual community' with the rest of the hierarchy, from Ver.
