THE Vatican has released an update on Pope Francis’ health after the 88-year-old’s condition suddenly worsened in hospital.

Francis is now in a stable condition after he was hospitalised in Rome on February 14 – but his “prognosis remains reserved”, according to the Holy See.

The Press Office of the Holy See simply said: “The Pope rested well all night.” 

It comes after the Holy Father suffered a breathing crisis from an isolated bronchospasm on Friday.

Francis had “an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory condition.”

He was initially diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

On Sunday, the Vatican secretary of state said that Francis thanked doctors and well-wishers and also prayed for peace in Ukraine.

Francis said in his message: “From here, war appears even more absurd.”

He added that he was living his hospitalisation as an “experience of profound solidarity” with people who are “sick and suffering everywhere”.

“I feel in my heart the blessing that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord,” Francis said in the text.

“At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.”

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