• Pope Francis marked his 12th anniversary as pope while hospitalized, receiving positive health updates.
• His condition is stable, showing improvement after four weeks of treatment for pneumonia.
• A chest X-ray confirmed improvements, and he is no longer in imminent danger.

Pope Francis remains hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, beginning his 29th consecutive day in care while celebrating the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Vatican reported that the 88-year-old pontiff's health condition continues to show progress, with a chest X-ray indicating significant improvements after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia on February 14. As he commemorated his milestone, there were no public events planned, yet it is a public holiday within the Vatican.

In a statement from the Vatican, officials noted that the pope's condition is termed "stationary," with ongoing monitoring and therapy. He continues to receive high-flow oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and uses non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night. On the day following his anniversary, medical staff celebrated with a cake, showing the human side of such a significant but challenging time for the Holy Father. Reports indicate that while Francis's recovery is encouraging, caution remains due to the complexity of his health.

As reported by ABC News, the pope spent the evening following his anniversary participating remotely in Lenten spiritual exercises. Acknowledging his resilience, Dr. Carmelo D'Asero, a physician not involved in the pope's care, expressed optimism about the warm season aiding his respiratory recovery.

This week represents a momentous occasion not only for Pope Francis, reflecting on his past 12 years leading the Catholic Church, but also for his health, as the Vatican's updates continue to show he is on the mend. The Holy See has not yet outlined a timeline for his return to public duties, asserting that decisions will depend on continued medical counsel.

For ongoing updates about Pope Francis's health, refer to Newsweek and Times of India.