Crowds pray for pope as Francis continues recovery from pneumonia

Pope Francis is continuing his slow recovery from double pneumonia, beating back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or conclave and signalling that he is still very much in charge albeit in a weakened state.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old once again slept well during the night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and was resting on Thursday morning.

Doctors on Wednesday reported further slight improvements in his clinical condition.

They said the kidney insufficiency that had been detected in recent days had receded, blood tests showed a slight improvement and a chest CT scan showed that his complex lung infection was taking the “normal evolution” as it is being treated.

But he has not had any more respiratory crises since Saturday, the Vatican said.

Prayers for his heath continued to pour in from near and far, with the dean of the College of Cardinals on Wednesday night presiding over what has now become a nightly appointment in St Peter’s Square, the 9pm rosary prayer.

“We are gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray confidently that God will allow Pope Francis to resume his apostolic service as soon as possible, in the fullness of his physical strength and with that pastoral dynamism that characterises him,” said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

As is now popularly known thanks to the Oscar-nominated film Conclave, the 91-year-old cardinal would have a key role in any papal death or conclave, called to preside over the funeral and organise the secret balloting in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

But on Wednesday night, he was merely one of the Catholic Church’s most senior cardinals, an important point of reference for the men who lead the church, praying for Francis’ speedy recovery.

A complex lung infection has kept Francis in hospital in a critical condition since February 14.

Francis has chronic lung disease and was admitted to hospital after a bout of bronchitis worsened. While doctors did not repeat that he was in a critical condition in Wednesday’s update, as they have in recent days, they said his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he was not out of danger.

By now a certain rhythm appears to have emerged from the Vatican’s updates: The pope receives treatments in the morning, including respiratory physiotherapy, and resumes work in the afternoon from his hospital room.

The Vatican said on Wednesday that he had appointed four new bishops and approved the creation of a new fundraising initiative to encourage donations to the Holy See, which has been enduring a financial crisis for years.