Vatican says Pope Francis ‘improving slightly’ and working from hospital

In a late update on Thursday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis has no fever and that his key parameters “continue to be stable”

A statue of Pope John Paul II is seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Rome Picture: Andrew Medichini/AP

Pope Francis’ overall clinical condition is “improving slightly” and his heart is working well as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican said, as some of his cardinals cheered him on and insisted that the Catholic Church was very much alive and well even in his absence.

In a late update on Thursday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis has no fever and that his key heart parameters “continue to be stable”.