Despite his condition, Pope Francis has upheld a tradition he began at the start of the war in Gaza, making nightly calls to the strip's only Catholic parish.
The Vatican’s Tuesday noon bulletin contained a series of significant decisions, most importantly that Francis had met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from pneumonia. That is after doctors reported a slight improvement in his condition, which nevertheless remains critical.
Thousands gathered in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square on Monday night to pray for Pope Francis' health after a more positive update from the Vatican.
The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is sick.