The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for six weeks with pneumonia in both lungs. He will need to rest in the Vatican for at least two months, his doctors said.

Pope Francis, at 88, faced life-threatening pneumonia and multiple respiratory crises. His condition reached a critical point on February 28. Despite the risks, his medical team, urged by his nurse, chose aggressive treatment.

ROME -- ROME (AP) — Pope Francis ’ doctors are providing their first in-person update on the pontiff’s condition in a month, in a sign that he has made good and steady progress in his battle against double pneumonia.