Pope Francis has 'peaceful night' despite pneumonia battle

Pope Francis spent a peaceful fifth night in the hospital and ate breakfast, the Vatican said Wednesday, a day after revealing he had developed pneumonia in both lungs.

On Tuesday night, the church confirmed the diagnosis and said Francis' respiratory infection also involved asthmatic bronchitis, which requires additional drug therapy.

The Vatican has said he remains "in good spirits."

However, double pneumonia is a serious infection that inflames and scars both lungs, making breathing more difficult.

Journalists and camera crews from around the world have gathered outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital as 1.4 billion Catholics await updates on the pope's health.

Pope faces series of health issues

Francis, 88, has already had to cancel numerous engagements due to his illness, which has kept him in the hospital longer than a bout of pneumonia did in 2023.

He was admitted to the hospital on Friday after falling ill with bronchitis.

Francis, the head of the Catholic Church since 2013, has undergone hernia and colon surgery since 2021 and uses a wheelchair due to pain in his knee.

The pontiff had a portion of his right lung removed at the age of 21 after he developed pleurisy, which nearly claimed his life.

Italian PM Meloni visits pontiff

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Francis in the hospital and said he was "alert and responsive" and full of good humor. 

She said she wanted to bring get-well wishes on behalf of the government and the entire nation.

"We joked around as always," she said in a statement. "He has not lost his proverbial sense of humor."

Edited by: Kieran Burke