India, March 1 -- Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in stable condition, the Vatican said. He is receiving oxygen support and has not had further breathing issues.

Pope remains alert and spent time in prayer after receiving the Eucharist on Saturday. "The Holy Father's clinical condition remains stable. He is alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation [and] has not experienced any further episodes of bronchospasm. [The Pope] remains alert and oriented. He received the Eucharist on Saturday afternoon, then dedicated himself to prayer," the Holy See Press Office said in a statement. The 88-year-old had suffered a breathing "cris...