On Tuesday night, the faithful from Francis’ homeland gathered in the Argentine church of Rome for a special Mass presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome. Reina was also celebrating the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday at Gemelli to pray for Francis.

People in Rome and the Vatican are relying on their faith as they cope with the daily anxiety waiting to hear about the pope’s health.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition and resting Wednesday, as Argentines and Romans alike gathered in the Eternal City to pray for his recovery from double pneumonia. The Vatican’s short morning update said: “The pope had a peaceful night and is resting.

Pope Francis has shown a "further, slight improvement" in his medical condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia. The pope is spending his 13th night at Rome's Gemelli hospital,

Pope Francis' condition remains critical but stable and he was able to do some work while still in the hospital with double pneumonia, the Vatican said in a Tuesday evening update.

The Holy Father's clinical condition over the past 24 hours has shown further slight improvement,” the Holy See Press Office stated.