Pope marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with condition improving

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Pope Francis is in his fourth week recovering at a hospital in Rome from pneumonia in both his lungs. He will have to miss an important anniversary, the 12th anniversary that he was elected pope. (AP Video by Paolo Lucariello and Paolo Santalucia / Production by Trisha Thomas)

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A couple kiss in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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People pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Thursday, March 13, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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People pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Thursday, March 13, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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People pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Thursday, March 13, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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A poster depicting Pope Francis reading “happy anniversary” is seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Thursday, March 13, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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A woman shelters against the rain as she follows a live broadcasted Rosary prayer for Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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People pray as they follow a live broadcasted Rosary prayer for Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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A woman looks at the “Angels Unawares” boat sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz on a rainy day in St. Peter’s square at The Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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Catholic worshippers arrive to St. Peter’s Square on a rainy day at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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Catholic worshippers walk towards St. Peter’s Square on a rainy day in Rome, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double pneumonia.

The pope spent another tranquil night, the Vatican said in its brief morning statement.

A chest X-ray confirmed improvements, the Vatican said on Wednesday, just two days after days after doctors declared he’s no longer in imminent danger of death. The latest medical bulletin said that the 88-year-old pope’s condition remained stable, but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility.

The Holy See hasn’t said how the anniversary of his election as the 266th pope might be commemorated. It is a public holiday at the Vatican and Masses are planned in his honor at churches in Rome. No medical bulletins will be issued.

Francis on Wednesday remotely followed a Lenten spiritual retreat that has been a mainstay of his papacy. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and a non-invasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night.

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave, which was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned.

While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the papacy is a job for life.

Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks four weeks of hospitalization.