The Vatican says Pope Francis has had a "tranquil" night in hospital and rested.
The 88-year-old is in a critical condition after being admitted to hospital nine days ago, where he's being treated for respiratory problems.
The Pope missed Sunday prayers for the second week in a row.
Pope Francis's ninth night in hospital passed peacefully after a respiratory attack that sparked alarm, the Vatican said this morning, although the 88-year-old is still using oxygen through nasal canula.
The Pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on 14 February after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days, and was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
In an update this morning, the Vatican said Pope Francis had a "tranquil night" and rested.
A Vatican source later said that unlike earlier in the week, the pontiff had not eaten breakfast, nor had he read the newspapers.
Another Vatican official, who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to speak about the Pope's condition, said that Francis was awake and alert.
The Pope was receiving oxygen as needed via a nasal canula, but was breathing unaided, the official added.
A further update on his condition is expected this evening after clinical exams during the day.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told participants at a mass in St Peter's Basilica this morning they should make their prayers for Pope Francis "stronger and more intense".
The Diocese of Rome, which the Pope leads, announced a special mass for this evening to pray for Francis, so that he will have "the strength necessary to get through this moment of trial".
Last Sunday the pontiff also missed his Angelus prayer and the Vatican published a written text instead.
It is believed to be the first time he has missed two consecutive Angelus prayers for health reasons. After undergoing intestinal surgery in 2021, he led the Angelus just one week later, and skipped one public Sunday prayer in 2023 following another operation.
Francis, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health in the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
A group of nuns and priests from around the world gathered outside the hospital entrance to pray for the pope yesterday.
They also sang as they stood around the statue of former pope John Paul II, where well-wishers have left candles bearing Francis's picture.
