Pope Francis "remained stationary" on Wednesday, "without showing any episodes of respiratory failure," but rested peacefully overnight into Thursday, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis' condition remains "stable" in hospital with no further bouts of breathlessness, the Vatican said late on Wednesday. He was supplied with oxygen via a tube through his nose during the day,

Pope Francis, who has been struggling to overcome double pneumonia for almost three weeks, remained in stable condition throughout the day on Wednesday and has not had any new breathing crises, the Vatican said.