Pope Francis receives cake and glad tidings as he spends anniversary in hospital

The latest medical bulletin said the 88-year-old’s condition remained stable

(Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Francis has marked the 12th anniversary of his pontificate in hospital as he received positive medical news on his recovery, a cake and hundreds of messages wishing him well.

He spent the morning in physiotherapy, followed Lenten spiritual exercises of the Roman curia and stopped to pray at the chapel in the Gemelli Hospital, where he has been under treatment for a complex lung infection since February 14, Vatican sources said.