The Vatican said on Saturday that the pontiff’s condition had stabilised.
Pope Francis, who is spending his 17th night in hospital, met earlier on Sunday with two Vatican officials and offered thanks to well-wishers for their prayers and support in a written message.
“I would like to thank you for the prayers,” Pope Francis said in a note released by the Vatican in place of his usual Sunday prayer with pilgrims, which the pope was not able to lead for the third week running.
“I feel all your affection and closeness and … I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people,” the message said.
Pope Francis also met at the hospital on Sunday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s number-two official, and Parolin’s deputy, said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni, without giving further details about the meeting.
The pope, who is known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican during his hospital stay and last met Parolin and the deputy at the Gemelli on Feb 24.
