Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for more than two weeks with double pneumonia, spent a “calm night,” the Vatican said on Sunday, after reporting he was in a stable condition. “The pope is still resting,

ROME and LONDON -- Pope Francis ' clinical condition remains "stable" on Sunday, the Vatican said, as the pontiff continues to be hospitalized for the 17th consecutive day.