Pope Francis has cancelled his jubilee audience after spending his thirteenth night in hospital.
The 88-year-old pontiff was struggling with breathing difficulties for several days before being admitted to hospital on February 14.
Pope Francis's decision to cancel his appearance amid his ongoing treatment and recovery came just hours after the Vatican issued a nine-word statement on his condition.
Francis, who became the pontiff 12 years ago, is critically ill in hospital battling double pneumonia.
Pope Francis was struggling with breathing difficulties for several days before undergoing treatment.GETTY
People pray next to the statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital,
Reuters
Pilgrims carry a cross as Pope Francis continues his hospitalisation
Reuters
In a statement, the Vatican said: "The pope had a tranquil night and is resting." However, no further details were provided on the Pope's condition.
The Vatican is issuing brief early-morning statements followed by more detailed assessments in the evenings, prepared by his doctors, aiming to counter the spread of misinformation on social media.
On Wednesday, the Vatican said for the first time that the pope was receiving respiratory physiotherapy, which is normally aimed at improving lung function, clearing secretions and making breathing more efficient.
Hundreds of people have gathered in St. Peter's Square over the past three evenings for prayer vigils attended by senior Church figures. Some well-wishers have also gathered daily outside the hospital to offer silent support.
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The statue of late Pope John Paul II is seen, outside Gemelli Hospital
Reuters
Sister Theodosia Baki from Cameroon, speaking outside the hospital, told reporters: "At this moment, I think I feel confident. I am happy with the news that I'm getting from Vatican News, that he is getting better."
Francis, was known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican from hospital, as staff appointments requiring his approval are announced daily.
On Wednesday, it said he had created a commission to encourage donations to help address a widening gap in finances, including an 83-million-euro (£68 million) budget shortfall.
Double pneumonia is a serious infection of both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican said Francis suffered a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" on Saturday, but there have been no repeats since then.
