Having spent three weeks in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, Pope Francis continues to be in stable condition and is responding well to his various treatments, as well breathing and mobility therapy.

As Pope Francis has battled double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14, the Vatican has been trying something new. The Holy See press office has been giving daily updates on his condition.

According to the Vatican, there have been 266 popes in the Catholic Church starting with St. Peter and going all the way up to the current pontiff, Pope Francis

Just as Popes John Paul II’s and Benedict’s final days revealed their understandings of the papacy, Francis’ illness has revealed him once again as the world’s parish priest, suffering close to his people.

Rome's Gemelli hospital, where Pope Francis is being treated for pneumonia, is the favoured choice of pontiffs — to the point of being dubbed "Vatican III" by John Paul II. The 88-year-old Francis is on his fourth stay at the Gemelli since 2021.