Vatican says Pope Francis continues to improve but prognosis remains guarded

Nuns pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis continues to improve from double pneumonia, the Vatican has said, though doctors said he needs more days of “clinical stability” before they revise their guarded prognosis.

The 88-year-old was able to begin alternating high-flow supplemental oxygen, delivered by a nasal tube, with a mask in a sign of his improved respiratory condition, the Vatican said in a late update.