Pope Francis' health crisis

Pope Francis remains in critical condition, but is "stable" as the 88-year-old pontiff continues his nearly two-week long hospitalization for double pneumonia. 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, led a recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization for double pneumonia. About 27 cardinals living in Rome and dozens of members of the Roman Curia joined the prayers.

Pope Francis remains in a critical state on his 11th day of hospitalization, but the Vatican said on Feb. 24 his conditions are slightly improving. A medical specialist suggested there is hope for Francis' recovery, but it would likely be prolonged and challenging.

The morning after Pope Francis' doctors said that he remained in "critical" condition and showed initial signs of renal insufficiency, the Vatican press office said the pope was in "good spirits" and continuing his treatment.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition and he continues to receive supplemental oxygen, but he has not experienced any further respiratory crises.

Francis' condition continues to be critical and the pope is not out of danger.

Pope Francis' doctors believe the 88-year-old pontiff is not in danger of death at the moment, but that the therapy for his double pneumonia needs time to work and will require at least another week of hospitalization. 

The pope looms so large in everyday Italian life that there are lots of expressions that make light of even a dark event like his death.

Pope Francis continues to improve and the 88-year-old pontiff remains without fever and with a well-functioning heart, as he carries on his hospital recovery from double pneumonia. 

As Pope Francis continues to recover at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, Catholics in the pope's Diocese of Rome and around the world joined in prayer for his health.
 

Pope Francis is in stable condition and his blood tests indicate a slight improvement, as the 88-year-old pontiff continues to battle pneumonia in hospital. 

Pope Francis was in pain, swollen and walking very little. Italian pulmonologist Dr. Barbara Moscatelli says that this is common in elderly patients who share the pontiff's lung illness.

Here's a look at Pope Francis' health history from a partial lung removal in 1957 to his entering the hospital on Feb. 14. 

Pope Francis has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and his latest laboratory tests and chest X-rays continue to reveal a "complex" medical picture, according to a Feb. 18 Vatican statement. 

 Pope Francis' treatment for a respiratory tract infection "will require adequate hospitalization" to address what the Vatican is now describing as a "complex clinical picture." 

Pope Francis is continuing his treatment for a respiratory infection at Rome's Gemelli Hospital but his condition is improving, according to a Feb. 15 update from the Vatican press office.

Pope Francis on Feb. 14 was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for testing and treatment of his ongoing bronchitis, which has plagued the 88-year-old pontiff in recent weeks.