Pope Francis spent a peaceful fifth night in hospital and ate breakfast on Wednesday, the Vatican says in its latest update on the pontiff's fragile health.
Francis has the onset of double pneumonia, the Vatican said, complicating treatment for the 88-year-old Pope who was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs and makes breathing more difficult.
The Vatican had said previously the Pope had a polymicrobial infection, which occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved, adding that he would stay in hospital as long as necessary to tackle a "complex clinical situation".
The Pope has been plagued by ill health in recent years, including regular bouts of flu, sciatica nerve pain and an abdominal hernia that required surgery in 2023. As a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.
Nevertheless the pontiff is in good spirits and is grateful for the prayers for his recovery, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The Vatican has cancelled papal audiences through the weekend and delegated others to cover as the Pope remained in hospital.
The Vatican has not indicated how long the pontiff might remain in hospital.
“The Pope is at risk of pneumonia because of this polymicrobial bronchitis," said Dr Carmelo D’Asero, an infectious disease and geriatric disease expert in Rome.
"We will see the effect of this new therapy in four to five days."
D'Asero, who is not involved in Francis' care, noted that his lack of a fever was not necessarily a positive thing, given the seriousness of his infection.
“A high fever is a sign of an immune response to a pathogen," he said.
"Having a low fever and having a serious bronchial infection ... is a sign of a decreased immune response and that makes us worry a little bit more, let’s say. Maybe if he had a fever, it would have been better.”
In a sign that other Vatican business was proceeding as usual Tuesday, Vatican No.2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, continued his delicate visit to Burkina Faso and another top Vatican cardinal, Cardinal Michael Czerny, prepared to leave on Wednesday for a five-day visit to Lebanon.
But other business had to be cancelled.
The Pope's hospital admission this year has already sidelined him for longer than a 2023 bout of pneumonia.
