Pope's treatment for pneumonia changes the tenor of celebrationsUnclear how long recovery might take for Francis, 88Some Catholics hope pope continues to speak up on political issues
A person holds a picture of Pope Francis outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the pontiff is being treated. Photo: Vincenzo Livieri/Reuters
A person holds a picture of Pope Francis outside Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the pontiff is being treated. Photo: Vincenzo Livieri/Reuters
Joshua McElwee
Today at 12:40
Pope Francis will on Thursday mark the 12th anniversary of his election as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, but he will do so from Rome's Gemelli hospital where he has been treated for double pneumonia for almost a month. The latest bulletins from the Vatican on the 88-year-old pope's condition have said he is improving and is no longer in immediate danger. They have not said when he will be discharged from hospital.
Francis was elected pope by the world's Roman Catholic cardinals on March 13, 2013. His continued stay in hospital - he was admitted on February 14 - is changing the tenor of how Catholics are celebrating the day.