Pope Francis is continuing to show improvement and remains stable as he approaches one month in the hospital following a bout with bronchitis turned pneumonia.

The 88-year-old had a «restful night,» the Holy See Press Office announced Thursday morning, which also marks the 12-year anniversary of his election to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

He is still receiving non-invasive mechanical ventilation treatments throughout the night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day.

POPE FRANCIS NOW EATING SOLID FOODS, SHOWING ‘SLIGHT GRADUAL IMPROVEMENTS,’ VATICAN SAYS 

On Wednesday, the pontiff spent time following spiritual exercises in the Vatican, receiving the Eucharist, praying and completing physical therapy. 

It was noted that he did rest in the afternoon.

The statement said a chest X-ray on Tuesday confirmed improvements observed by medical staff in previous days, but his situation remains «complex,» thus resulting in more time in the hospital.

POPE FRANCIS NOW ‘OUT OF DANGER FROM DEATH’ AS HEALTH CONDITION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

Candles with pictures of Pope Francis were laid under the statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome last month in support of the 88-year-old pontiff. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The Pope’s health has improved significantly this week as the Vatican announced on Monday that he is «out of danger from death.»

He has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Valentine’s Day after a week-long fight against bronchitis gradually worsened, ultimately turning into double pneumonia. 

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Pope Francis was elected to his position 12 years ago on March 13, 2013. (AleVatican Pool/Getty Images)

His health became a major concern as he has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was younger.

Una nueva época, un nuevo ritmo

«El escenario es positivo y está bastante bajo control»

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that Hamas sent a 4-year-old Palestinian boy to one of its outposts. The IDF says it returned the toddler to Gaza in coordination with international organizations.

«Hamas does not hesitate to use any means to cynically use and exploit civilians and children to advance its terrorism,» the IDF wrote on X.

The child allegedly told IDF soldiers that Hamas sent him, but Israel did not provide information on how the boy knew the terrorist organization sent him there. 

NEW STUDY SHUTS DOWN ICC CHARGES AGAINST ISRAEL OVER GAZA STARVATION CLAIMS

IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani condemned the incident in a post on X, saying that it demonstrated Hamas’ lack of care for civilians.

«Another reminder that Hamas doesn’t care about the people of Gaza and exploits them for terror,» Lt. Col. Shoshani wrote. 

Israeli soldiers speak to a Palestinian child who was allegedly sent by Hamas towards their outpost. The child was returned to Gaza.

HAMAS HAS ‘NO ALTERNATIVE’ OTHER THAN TO LEAVE GAZA, MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL ENVOY SAYS

During the Oct. 7 massacre, Hamas not only killed Israeli children, but took several as hostages. In November 2023, as part of a deal, Hamas released 30 children from captivity. The last two child hostages in Gaza were Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Their fate remained uncertain for months, until their deaths were confirmed in February 2025 when their bodies were returned to Israel.

«Kfir and Ariel were murdered in cold blood. The terrorists didn’t shoot them—they killed them with their bare hands. Then, they committed horrific acts to cover up their crimes,» IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said following the return of the Bibas children’s remains.

IDF forces are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Office)

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Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon called on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to issue a condemnation of the incident involving the 4-year-old Palestinian child.

«Hamas has a genocidal animosity toward Israelis and equally doesn’t care for the people of Gaza. That’s why the terrorist organization uses babies, children and women as human shields and pawns in conflict. This is contemptible and should be roundly condemned by the United Nations secretary-general,» Ambassador Danon said.

Just last week, the U.N. was slammed over a draft of its report on children in combat zones that appeared to omit stories of Israeli victims. 

Throughout the section of the report on Israeli and Palestinian children, there are instances of the U.N. conflicting verified and unverified data. Though the report admits that there is unverified data, it does not give any information on who was responsible for verifying the other figures. This lack of transparency left room to doubt the report’s accuracy.