Pope Francis responding well to treatment, Vatican says

Pope Francis, who has been battling pneumonia and bronchitis for much than 3 weeks, has shown a "good response" to treatment, the Vatican has said.

"The objective information of the Holy Father successful caller days has remained unchangeable and, consequently, indicates a bully effect to the treatment," the Vatican said.

"There is truthful a gradual, flimsy improvement", it added.

The 88-year-old prayed connected Saturday greeting successful the chapel of the papal suite astatine Rome's Gemelli Hospital, wherever helium is being treated.

The Argentine pontiff has not been seen successful nationalist since entering the hospital, his longest agelong distant from the nationalist oculus since his papacy began 12 years ago.

He was admitted to infirmary connected 14 February aft experiencing breathing difficulties - and archetypal treated for bronchitis earlier being diagnosed with pneumonia successful some lungs.

He is peculiarly susceptible to pneumonia, an corruption of the lungs that tin beryllium caused by bacteria, viruses oregon fungi, aft helium contracted pleurisy – an inflammation of the lungs – arsenic a young antheral and had a partial lung removal.

The Pope's doctors judge helium is apt to look a agelong roadworthy to recovery, owed to his property and aesculapian history.