Crowds pray for pope as Francis continues recovery from pneumonia

People attend a nightly rosary prayer service for the health of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP)

Pope Francis is continuing his slow recovery from double pneumonia, beating back speculation of an imminent death, resignation or conclave and signalling that he is still very much in charge albeit in a weakened state.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old once again slept well during the night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and was resting on Thursday morning.