Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican on December 24. File Photograph by Stefano Spaziani/UPI | License Photograph

Feb. 25 (UPI) — Pope Francis met with the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Monday as he rested comfortably all through the evening into Tuesday however remained in important situation.

The Vatican stated the pontiff met with Parolin and the substitute for basic affairs of the secretariat of state, Archbishop Pena Parra associated to a number of decrees. Officers stated Francis confirmed slight enchancment.

“No episodes of asthma-like respiratory misery occurred [Monday] and a few laboratory checks have proven enchancment,” the Vatican stated. “The monitoring of his gentle kidney insufficiency has not raised any considerations. Oxygen remedy continues, though with barely diminished circulate oxygen ranges.”

The pope’s respiratory points are simply the newest well being issues for Francis, 88. He was checked into Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14, the place he was initially handled for bronchitis after which double pneumonia.

Within the meantime, lots of gathered at St. Peter’s Sq. as Parolin led the Holy Rosary for Francis’s well being and restoration. The gang sang Salve Regina on the finish of the service.

The Argentine native and the primary Jesuit to be named pope has been hospitalized quite a few instances throughout his 12-year run as chief of the Catholic Church. He’s prone to pneumonia as a result of he contracted pleurisy in his 20s and had a part of his lung eliminated.