ROME (AP) — Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work, the Vatican said, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.

The wet black cobblestones shone from the bright lights illuminating the fountains and the front of the square where Pope Francis normally sits for his Wednesday general audiences. An image of Mater Ecclesiae -- Mary, Mother of the Church -- adorned with greenery and white and pink flowers took center stage.

On his tenth day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for treatment of a complex respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis remains in critical condition but his lab tests have shown a slight improvement,

Pope Francis spends “a peaceful night” at Rome‘s Gemelli Hospital and has breakfast while sitting in an armchair on Thursday morning, the Vatican tells journalists on Feb. 20.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work, the Vatican said, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition as the Vatican called senior church officials in Rome to a special saying of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis' condition has slightly improved, the Vatican said in a medical update on Monday, adding that his "slight" kidney problem was not a cause for concern. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Crispian Balmer) Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

Pope Francis showed slight improvement in laboratory tests Monday and resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began, the Vatican said.