THE Pope is in a stable condition in hospital and blood tests have shown a “slight improvement” in his condition, doctors have said.

Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last week with a respiratory infection and was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

His condition had raised grave concerns with Francis gasping for air at public events and unable to read speeches.

The Pope is also suffering from asthmatic bronchitis, doctors said.

Now, the Vatican have said Francis’ overall condition remained stationary, but there is good news with blood tests showing a slight improvement” in key inflammation indices.

Pope Francis also worked in the afternoon with his collaborators, the Vatican said in a late statement.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are stable,” the Vatican said.

“Blood tests, evaluated by medical staff, indicate a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers.”

Francis was breathing on his own, without the use of a respirator, and was able to get out of bed to work from a chair in his room, according to a Vatican source.

The Pope had a “peaceful” night on Tuesday, said the Vatican.

It added that he read newspapers after eating breakfast on Wednesday morning in the tenth floor papal suite at Gemelli hospital, before working alongside “his closest colleagues”.

Before eating lunch he received the Eucharist as well as a 20-minute visit from the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

Meloni visited Pope Francis for 20 minutes in the hospital Wednesday and reported he was alert and responsive and full of good humour.

The Italian PM said she wanted to bring get-well wishes to the pope on behalf of the government and entire nation.

“We joked around as always. He has not lost his proverbial sense of humour”, she said in a statement issued by her office.

Meloni is the first confirmed outside visitor known to have called on the pope, beyond his secretaries and medical team, since his admission Friday at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where popes have their own suite on the 10th floor.

Her visit, announced only after it was over, appeared aimed at sending a reassuring message, especially to Italians who havent seen even a photograph of Francis since Friday.

The Vatican has said Francis was up, eating and had gotten out of bed after a tranquil night, a day after tests confirmed he had pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis.

The Italian premier, who came to power in 2022 with a message touting her Christian credentials, has referred in glowing terms to the influence on her of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, both reference points for European conservatives like herself.

Meloni and Francis have teamed up constructively on a campaign to reverse Italy’s low birthrate.

Earlier in the week, the Vatican said medical tests and a chest X-ray showed “a complex picture”.

How will the next Pope be chosen?

THE next Pope is chosen through a process called a papal conclave, which takes place after the current Pope dies or resigns.

Here’s how it works:

1. The College of Cardinals is summoned to the Vatican
2. The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by a secret ballot
3. They will prepare for the upcoming papal elections – called a conclave
4. These Catholic leaders will vote once on the first days and four times a day on each additional day
5. This vote will continue until one candidate gets two-thirds of the vote
6. The nominee must then accept the offer and choose their new papal name
7. This outcome will be confirmed to the public when white smoke burns out of the Sistine Chapel chimney

Officials clarified yesterday that he has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

Pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar the lungs, causing chest pain and making breathing more difficult.

Despite Vatican doctors advising him to rest, Francis has pushed himself through a busy schedule.

On February 9, he ignored calls to stay indoors and sat through an outdoor Jubilee Mass for the armed forces, even though he was visibly struggling to breathe.

But the Pope has cancelled a papal audience scheduled for Saturday and is not well enough to attend Mass on Sunday.

Outside the hospital, well-wishers and pilgrims have continued to gather to pray, light candles and write notes of encouragement.