Vatican City: Pope Francis is currently spending his time in the hospital as he battles double pneumonia. As of February 22, he marks his eighth day in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he was admitted on February 14 due to breathing difficulties stemming from this serious infection. According to the latest updates from the Vatican, while the 88-year-old pontiff is showing slight improvement, the medical team has indicated that he is not yet out of danger.

The Vatican's spokesman, Matteo Bruni, reported that the pope had a good night’s rest and was able to eat breakfast; however, it has now been confirmed that he will not be appearing for the Sunday Angelus prayer for the second consecutive week. This is a rare occurrence for Francis, who has led the Angelus just one week after previous surgeries. The Holy See press office mentioned that instead of the usual live address, they will publish the text of the prayer.

Medical professionals continue to monitor Pope Francis closely. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli medical staff, underscored the seriousness of the pope's condition, stating, "The pope is not out of danger. The situation could go either way." The pope is reportedly not on a ventilator and is breathing independently, though there remains a risk of complications such as sepsis if the infection spreads.

Various officials have expressed hope for the pontiff's recovery, with Cardinals Juan Jose Omella and Giuseppe Satriano affirming their belief in his resilience, referring to him as a fighter. The Vatican has emphasized the need for privacy during this recovery period, refraining from releasing recent photographs of the pope to respect his personal space.

As messages of support pour in from around the world, speculation regarding the pope's future has arisen among church officials and the public. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi mentioned that while the possibility of resignation due to health concerns cannot be dismissed, it entirely depends on Pope Francis’ recovery. Nonetheless, he has previously indicated that he prefers to complete his papal duties, particularly with the ongoing Jubilee year celebrations that began in December.

For updates on his condition, further information is expected from the Vatican as they continue to monitor the situation closely. To read more about Pope Francis' hospital stay and health challenges, visit Channel News Asia, The Jakarta Post, and Reuters.