“Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours,” the Vatican statement said. The pope expressed particular gratitude for the well wishes he received from his fellow patients in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and asked for continued prayers.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia, remains in a critical condition for a second day running and his prognosis is still guarded, the Vatican said on Sunday.

Pope Francis's ninth night in hospital was peaceful, the Vatican said Sunday, the day after revealing the 88-year-old was in a "critical" condition.The pope had on Saturday suffered a prolonged respiratory attack and required blood transfusions,