The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is showing signs of improvement as he battles double pneumonia but will not lead the annual Ash Wednesday service marking the beginning of Lent.
The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14 after suffering a severe respiratory infection that led to complications.
While the Vatican has not specified how long he will remain in the hospital, it confirmed on Friday that he would not preside over the Ash Wednesday service on March 5, indicating that his hospitalization may extend into next week.
A senior Vatican official will instead lead the ceremony, which marks the start of the 40-day Lenten period leading up to Easter Sunday.
In a medical update on Thursday, the Vatican stated that Pope Francis’ condition continued to improve, though his prognosis remained cautious due to the complexity of his infection.
Despite his illness, the pope has continued to oversee Vatican affairs from the hospital. Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, is known for his tireless work ethic and demanding schedule.
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