Vatican City, February 25 (ANI): Pope Francis's condition remains critical but has shown a "slight improvement", according to the Vatican's latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff's health, reported Al Jazeera.

In a statement on Monday, the Vatican mentioned that "The clinical conditions of the Holy Father, in their critical nature, show a slight improvement", as per Al Jazeera.

Also Read | American Airlines Plane Bomb Hoax: Flight AA-292 Travelling From New York to Delhi Diverted to Italy After Threat Email, FIR Registered.

"Today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory attacks; some laboratory tests have improved," it said, noting that Francis had worked in the afternoon after receiving the Eucharist in the morning. The Pope was still receiving oxygen, "although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage", the statement said.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with breathing difficulties and his condition subsequently worsened.

Also Read | DBS Bank Layoffs: Singapore-Headquartered DBS Group To Cut 10% Jobs Over Next 3 Years as Role of Artificial Intelligence Rises.

He is battling pneumonia in both lungs as well as kidney issues in what has become the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year papacy, as per Al Jazeera.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the pope's infection as "complex" and said it was caused by two or more microorganisms, Al Jazeera reported.

The head of the Catholic Church, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health over the past two years.

He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

Francis's continued hospitalisation has prompted a global outpouring of concern and support, with a special prayer organised for Monday evening in St Peter's Square in Rome.

Tributes also have been left outside the hospital where he is being treated, as per Al Jazeera.

Earlier Monday, the Vatican said the pope had spent a peaceful night, with a Vatican source saying he was "not in pain", eating "normally" and even "in a good mood". (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)