Photo of Pope Francis released as Vatican says his health continues to improve

Although the pope's doctors announced earlier this week that the pontiff is no longer in imminent danger, he still has pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, resulting in what doctors call a "complex" medical picture.

The pope is in his fifth week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, and the Vatican has refused to speculate about a timeline for his release.

Francis continues both respiratory and physical therapy, and tonight's medical bulletin noted that "these therapies, at present, are showing further, gradual improvements."

At noon on Saturday, the Vatican announced that Francis, on March 11, approved a three-year plan focused on implementing the reforms initiated by his recent synod on synodality. The announcement is being widely viewed in Rome as a strong signal that Francis intends to continue as pope, despite speculation of a potential resignation following his prolonged hospitalization. 

The push to make the Catholic Church more synodal — less clerical and encouraging greater participation of all its members — has been a signature project of Francis' papacy. A report at the conclusion of October's synod meeting called on the church to overhaul its seminary formation programs, involve the laity in the selection of Catholic bishops and to allow for greater participation of women in the church's leadership. 

The new timeline includes diocesan and continental evaluation stages that will culminate in a Vatican assembly in October 2028. The decision to approve and publish the timeline while the pontiff is in the hospital indicates not only his desire to increase momentum for the synod's implementation but to ensure that it remains a priority for the global church. 

The letter released March 15 was signed by secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Mario Grech. "The Holy Father hopes that this phase, as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis Communio (n. 7, arts. 19-21), receives particular attention so that synodality is increasingly understood and lived as an essential dimension of the ordinary life of local Churches and the entire Church," he said in the letter to bishops.

On Friday (March 14), Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin — the Vatican's secretary of state — celebrated Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace for diplomats and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See to pray for the pope's recovery.

"We gather in prayer this morning for the intention of the Holy Father’s health, that he may recover and return soon among us," the cardinal said in his homily.

Earlier this week, on March 13, Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election as pope. To mark the occasion, hospital staff presented the pontiff with a cake, decorated with 12 candles. 

The Italian postal service announced this week that it has received a surge in letters being sent to the pope and the Vatican — resulting in up to 330 pounds of additional mail per day since the pope entered the hospital.