The Vatican has set in motion nightly prayers for Pope Francis in the hope that he might recover and get back to leading the Catholic Church.

The health of Pope Francis remains unclear as the faithful have gathered in St. Peter’s Square nightly to pray for his recovery. The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized almost two weeks ago, suffering from double pneumonia and mild renal insufficiency.

Pope Francis reached the two-week mark in his recovery from pneumonia Friday as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection but held out on declaring him out of danger entirely.

Pope Francis's condition was continuing to improve, the Vatican said Thursday (Feb 27), as the 88-year-old pontiff marked two weeks in hospital with pneumonia in both lungs.

Despite his hospitalization, the pope has maintained a degree of governance and authorized the appointment of four new bishops.

Hundreds gather to pray for Pope Francis, who is showing slight improvement in tests Thursday, according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in hospital, the Vatican said Friday, a day after it noted improvement in his clinical condition for a second

From Vatican City to the Queen City, prayers are being said for the recovery of Pope Francis, who is currently in critical but stable condition after being diagnosed with double pneumonia.