If the last few days are any guide, Francis will likely follow the Vatican’s spiritual retreat remotely while his physical and respiratory therapy continues.

After 27 days in the hospital due to a respiratory issue, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is showing a 'slight improvement.'

As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.

The pope's doctors released no official medical bulletin given that his lab tests and condition continue to remain stable. The press office said his condition remains unchanged from March 8, and that this stability is in itself a sign of improvement. His overall "clinical picture remains complex," it added.

Pope Francis has spent 18 full days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital recovering from double pneumonia. It’s by far the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

Pope Francis, 88, is seeing improvements in his health while receiving treatment for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital, according to the Vatican. Doctors have adjusted their prognosis, indicating he's no longer in immediate danger,

Pope Francis had a quiet night, the Vatican said Wednesday, amid hopes the 88-year-old might be able to return home soon, after almost four weeks in hospital with pneumonia.

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital for almost a month, remains stable and a recent X-ray confirmed improvements in his condition that had been seen in previous days, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

The Vatican says a chest scan has confirmed improvements in Pope Francis’ condition in his fourth week in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia

Pope Francis' health has shown improvement and doctors say he is no longer in immediate danger due to pneumonia, the Vatican said.