Pope Francis shares message from hospital bed after ‘gradual improvement’ - The Holy See distributed the message the pope would have delivered at his weekly noon blessing if he were well enough

Pope Francis is responding well to treatment and has shown a "gradual, mild improvement" in recent days as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.

Pope Francis is showing a "good response" to his treatment in hospital for double pneumonia and his overall condition is gradually improving, the Vatican said on Saturday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment.