Vatican issues one-line health update on Pope Francis

The Vatican issued a fresh health update for Pope Francis this morning after being in critical condition.

The Holy Father, they said in their brief update, "rested well, all night long". He was in critical condition on Sunday, but showed a "slight improvement" on Monday.

The 88-year-old has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14 as he battles bronchitis. He was then diagnosed with pneumonia last Thursday.

Over the weekend, the Vatican said he was showing an "initial, mild" kidney problem, but remained "vigilant and well-oriented", taking part in mass in the hospital.

The Pope has a history of respiratory illness, losing part of a lung when he was younger after contracting pleurisy - inflammation of the tissue that lines and chest cavity and surrounds the lungs.

He also spent 10 days in hospital in 2021 after having 33cm of his colon removed, but this current illness marks his longest stay in hospital since becoming the Pope 2013.

Yesterday evening at 9pm local time, the Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin led a mass in St Peter's Square to pray for Francis and others in the hospital.

The hospital's chaplain, Father Nunzio Corrao, added that it was time "to hope against hope".

The Vatican released a message from the Pope on Sunday, which thanked people for their "closeness" and prayers while he receives treatment and rests.

It read: "I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!

"In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.

"Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me."