Pope Francis takes meeting in hospital over candidates for sainthood

The audience signalled that the machinery of the Vatican is still grinding on and looking ahead even with Francis in hospital and doctors warning his prognosis is guarded

Faithful pray in St Peter’s Square at The Vatican for Pope Francis’ recovery. Picture: Bernat Armangue/AP

Pope Francis, who is in hospital with double pneumonia, was well enough to meet with the Vatican secretary of state and his deputy to approve new decrees for saints and call a formal meeting to set the dates for their canonisation, officials have said.

The audience, which occurred on Monday, signalled that the machinery of the Vatican is still grinding on and looking ahead even with Francis in hospital and doctors warning his prognosis is guarded.