Pope Francis has had a ‘peaceful night’ in hospital where he remains resting nearly three weeks after he was admitted with pneumonia.
In a morning update released by the Vatican, the Holy See said the 88-year-old used an oxygen mask overnight for a third time.
The pontiff was hospitalised on February 14 at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties but is now battling pneumonia in both lungs.
Francis missed the formal Ash Wednesday celebrations in Rome marking the start of Lent, but took part in a blessing in the private suite reserved for popes on the 10th floor of the Gemelli.
Live updates below
11:35
Meet the pensioner who heads to Pope's hospital every morning
I heard from others that (the Pope) had got worse. It was a moment of discouragement. I took part in the rosary where I was almost crying.
10:51
Pope Francis sleeping with face mask to help lung recovery
09:00
What happened yesterday?
08:25
Pope's hospital stay reaches three weeks
07:54
Pope resting after 'peaceful night' in hospital
23:06
Prayers for the Pontiff in St Peter's Square
21:05
PICTURED: Bolivians pray for Pope Francis
19:53
Pope Francis' condition is stable and he's working again, the Vatican says
18:57
READ: The Vatican's latest update in full
‘The Holy Father remained stable today as well, without any episodes of respiratory insufficiency.
‘As planned, he utilized supplemental, high-flow oxygenation, and non-invasive mechanical ventilation will be resumed tonight.
‘The Holy Father increased his respiratory and active motor physiotherapy. He spent the day in his armchair.
‘Given the complexity of the clinical situation, the prognosis remains guarded.
‘This morning, in the private apartment located on the 10th floor, the Holy Father participated in the rite of the blessing of the Sacred Ashes, which were imposed on him by the celebrant. He then received the Eucharist.
‘Afterwards, he engaged in several work activities. During the morning, he also called Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza.
‘In the afternoon, he alternated between rest and work.’
18:54
Breaking:Vatican gives update on Pope's health
18:29
WATCH: Christian faithful perform Ash Wednesday mass without Pope Francis
17:45
Stunning photos show sun setting behind dome of St Peter's basilica in Rome
17:35
The eerie link to Pope Francis' illness in secret Vatican book
16:00
Catholic Church opens Lent season amid Pope Francis absence
13:39
'It's a rollercoaster and very stressful': Vatican insider lifts lid on Pope's health battle
There is a slowdown due to the fact that we do not know what tomorrow will bring. We live day-by-day, we do not take holidays. There are times when we are very afraid, others when we say to ourselves ‘he is getting back on track’. It is a rollercoaster, and it is very stressful.
12:26
Swiss Guard – Vatican running at 'minimum service' with services in 'free fall'
11:49
Pictures: Crowds return to Gemelli Hospital to pray for Pope Francis
10:49
What is happening in Rome for Ash Wednesday?
09:55
Pope Francis to miss weekend retreat
08:30
Francis to miss Ash Wednesday celebrations as Catholics mark start of Lent
07:45
Breaking:Vatican releases new 13-word update on Pontiff's condition
The Pope rested well during the night and woke up shortly after 8am.
07:34
Pope's health update expected soon
06:49
What we know about the health of Pope Francis
01:19
2013: The historic moment Pope Francis was elected
00:45
December 2024: Pope Francis chauffeured in first all-electric 'G-Wagon popemobile'
00:19
2023: Pope Francis washes feet of young inmates on Holy Thursday
22:45
How is a Pope elected?
22:17
This evening's Rosary Prayer led by Cardinal Roche
21:29
Pope Francis's absence from tomorrow's Ash Wednesday service comes 20 years after another Pope missed the celebration
21:00
Rosary Prayer for Francis's good health begins
20:46
'Bronchospasms not unexpected, the picture remains complex,' according to Vatican source
20:31
'The longer the situation goes on, the worse it gets,' says lung specialist
As always happens in these situations, the longer the acute state is prolonged, the more the organism weakens further. We are walking on a ridge
Immobility and ventilation are debilitating for the respiratory muscles and the airways. Even non-invasive ventilation is an inflammatory stimulus.
For this reason – he added – it would be important to wean him from non-invasive ventilation. The fact that he must be ventilated during the night is a worrying factor
20:18
Pictured: Nuns gather at St Peter's Square ahead of prayer service
19:58
Watch: Well-wishers continue to pray for the Pontiff
19:21
Pictured: Pope Francis's final public outing before hospitalisation
19:03
Evening prayer for health of the Pope to go ahead at 8pm GMT
18:29
EVENING UPDATE: Pope Francis is 'stable,' says the Vatican
18:17
Pope Francis now 'unlikely' to ever return to his native Argentina
17:56
Pictured: St Peter's Square today
17:36
Evening update on the health of Pope Francis expected in the next hour
17:13
Pictures: Latest photographs as well wishers visit Pope's hospital
16:39
READ: The Vatican plot to ensure Pope Francis's successor is a conservative
15:46
Pope Francis health latest: What has happened today?
15:18
New tweet posted from Pope Francis X account
14:48
Could Francis eclipse John Paul II with hospital stay?
14:13
'He won't give in': Pope's friend dismisses rumours he could resign
He’s always been a fighter. He doesn’t give in under pressure The more pressure they put on him, the more likely he won’t give in.
13:26
Vatican make new plans for Ash Wednesday amid Pope's absence
13:03
Pictures: Tributes left for Pope Francis after concerning health update
12:30
Catholics say collective prayers have brought them closer to Pope Francis
We had already booked the trip in October to take part in the Jubilee journey. Then the pope got sicker, so we decided to come and pray the rosary. I have to tell the truth, I never felt this pope close, but being here today makes me feel him closer.
The previous popes inspired me with greater confidence compared to Francis. I came to pray tonight because of personal matters but also because of all that is going through the world these days.
11:58
Watch: Well wishers pray and leave candles near Pope's hospital
11:35
Pope taken off ventilator as breathing stabilises
11:16
'We look for his health bulletin every day': Syrian family who owe their lives to Francis
What shocked me the most is that the father of the church was a modest man, who didn’t have prejudices, open toward other ethnicities and religion.
10:52
Pope Francis in Gemelli Hospital: A complete timeline
10:20
Archbishop – Pope is giving us 'extraordinary teaching on fragility'
Today the pope is giving us an extraordinary teaching on fragility. Today the pope, not through words but with his body, is reminding all of us, we elderly people to begin with, that we are all fragile and therefore we need to take care of each other.
09:26
Pictures: Scenes from the Vatican
09:09
Pulmonary doctor – Pope taking 'little steps forward and then steps back'
The fact that they had to go in there and remove it manually is concerning, because it means that he is not clearing the secretions on his own. He’s taking little steps forward and then steps back.
08:47
Pope's setback may have been response to infection
08:30
What is respiratory failure?
08:18
What have the Vatican said this morning?
08:10
Top story: Pope back on a ventilator as health rollercoaster continues
08:03