The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is recovering from double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

The Vatican press office on Saturday described “a good response to therapy” and a “gradual, slight improvement” since the pope’s episodes of acute respiratory failure on Monday.

Pope Francis released an audio message to the faithful, the first communication from the pontiff since his hospitalization last month. The brief statement was released to reporters via the Holy See Press Office on Thursday in an audio file and revealed to the faithful who gathered in St.

Pope Francis thanked his supporters for their prayers on Thursday in a breathless audio message that nonetheless lifted spirits among his faithful as concerns grow for the 88-year-old pontiff’s health.

Pope Francis, 88, delivered an emotional audio message from his hospital room, thanking the faithful for their prayers as he continues treatment for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double 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 pope rested peacefully overnight as he began his 27th consecutive day in the hospital Wednesday morning, the Vatican said.