The expatriate community is small but shares a special bond with Francis, who has been in the hospital since Feb. 14.

A plane used to hurl people to their deaths during Argentina's military dictatorship was found in Florida decades later.

ROME — Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his therapies Monday after a quiet night, on the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said.

Argentine pontiff has been at Gemelli hospital in Rome since February 14 and on Monday suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure." The 88-year-old was admitted initially for bronchitis, which then developed into pneumonia in both lungs.

Guillermo Marco, former spokesman for the pope when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, told Reuters it had been a "wasted opportunity" for Argentina. Francis, he said, had a "tango soul" - a reference to the music and dance that has its origins in the back streets of Buenos Aires.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen.

Hundreds of Argentines attended a special mass Monday for their countryman Pope Francis, hospitalized in a critical condition with pneumonia in Rome. They gathered on the same square in Buenos Aires where as archbishop,

Our community is living these days of apprehension in prayer,” said Father Fernando Laguna. “It’s the only way we can be close to the pope. It’s our way of sending him a big kiss and hug.”

ROME — Pope Francis was a frequent visitor to Rome long before he became pope, and over time found his favorite shops and artisans who are now pulling for him as he battles double pneumonia. “The pope is by now a friend, a beloved person for me, not a customer,” said Francis’ optician, Alessandro Spiezia. “I am praying for his recovery.”

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis, 88, was still in critical condition Sunday but “remains alert and well-oriented” and took part in Mass on Sunday morning. The Vatican said “some

The pope has spent nine nights at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, receiving treatment for pneumonia and other health complications. He is "alert and well-oriented" and attended Mass on the 10th floor of the hospital today, the Holy See Press Office said.

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis has never returned to his homeland, Argentina, since assuming office in 2013.