The Vatican announced Sunday that the Pope is responding favorably to treatment and has shown a “gradual, mild improvement” in recent days while continuing his recovery from double pneumonia in the hospital.

“The night passed peacefully; the Pope is resting,” the Vatican stated.

Francis, 88, was hospitalized at Rome’s on February 14 after a week of worsening bronchitis. Doctors initially identified a complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection, which subsequently developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

This is the fourth consecutive Sunday that the Pope will be unable to deliver his weekly noon blessing; however, the Vatican intends to distribute the message he had prepared.

Doctors have reported that the Pope’s condition has remained stable, with no fever and healthy blood oxygen levels for several days. They added that this stability “testifies to a good response to therapy.”

This is the first report from doctors indicating that Francis, who has a history of chronic lung disease and underwent the removal of a portion of one lung in his youth, is responding well to the prescribed treatments since his hospitalization over three weeks ago.

However, doctors emphasize that his prognosis remains “guarded,” indicating that he is not yet out of danger.

Despite the Pope’s absence, the Vatican’s daily operations continue alongside the celebrations of its Holy Year, the Jubilee held every quarter-century that attracts pilgrims to Rome from around the world. This weekend, the Holy Year celebrates volunteers, many of whom are extending their pilgrimage to pray for Francis outside the hospital.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny will preside over the on Sunday for the volunteers.

The Pope has been using high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day to aid his breathing and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.

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