Pope Francis said previously that he might retire if facing extreme health issues. The Vatican reported that his condition is complicated but not critical.

After almost two weeks in hospital, Pope Francis appears to be on a slow road to recovery, according to the Vatican. "The pope slept well during the night" and is now resting, the Holy See said on Thursday morning.

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised for two weeks battling double pneumonia, has spent another peaceful night and is now resting, the Vatican said on Friday. Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with what was originally described as a bronchitis and was later revealed to have developed into something more serious.