Pope Francis

Liturgical leaders in the church must serve as humble guides to prayer rather than be strictly focused on the application of rules, Pope Francis said.

To adapt the words of Our Lord, we know not the day nor the hour when Pope Francis’ health will be restored, and he will return to his papal post leading Holy Mother Church.

Pope Francis' condition showed "further slight improvement" in the previous 24 hours, the Vatican said in its evening medical bulletin Feb. 26.

For those who recognize Christ as the saviour, death is not an end or a form of "annihilation," Pope Francis wrote in his general audience catechesis. It is a kind of "sister" that introduces the faithful departed to true life.

A light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis' "clinical condition remains critical but stable" and the "prognosis remains guarded," the Vatican's evening bulletin said Feb. 25.

Pope Francis' condition has shown a slight improvement, which, however, is still critical, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis' condition remained "critical" the evening of Feb. 23, his doctors said, with blood tests showing "initial, mild renal insufficiency, at present under control."

While Italy's main news agency reported that Pope Francis' respiratory "crisis" had subsided, a Vatican source said he was still receiving supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula early Feb. 23.

Pope Francis experienced "an asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, which also required the use of oxygen at high flows" Feb. 22, said the daily medical bulletin released by the Vatican.