Pope Francis' condition shows 'gradual, slight improvement,' Vatican says

LONDON and ROME -- Pope Francis has remained stable in recent days and demonstrated a good response to therapy, leading to a "gradual, slight improvement," the Vatican said Saturday.

The pope's blood tests and blood counts remain stable, the Vatican said.

"The doctors, hoping to record these initial improvements in the coming days, are prudently keeping the prognosis as still guarded," the Vatican said.

The Vatican earlier said that the pope's "overall condition remains stable within his complex medical situation and the prognosis remains reserved."

"The pope had a quiet night," the Vatican said Saturday morning. "The pope is resting."

The pope will join "in communion" on Sunday with the Vatican Curia and their spiritual exercises for Lent which start tomorrow and go through the week, the Vatican's press office said.

He "will continue to use non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day, until we hear otherwise," the press office said.

On Friday, the 88-year-old pontiff "spent about 20 minutes in prayer in his chapel on the 10th floor apartment and the rest of the day alternated between rest, physiotherapy, prayer and a bit of work," the Vatican said.

Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.