New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- The Vatican on Tuesday said Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with double pneumonia, held a meeting with Vatican officials in hospital on Monday. They discussed several pending cases for sainthood.

According to the Vatican's bulletin, Francis, aged 88, approved decrees for five people's beatification and two people's canonisation during an audience with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the so-called Vatican "substitute" or chief of staff.

The pope has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital for nearly two weeks.

"The pope rested well all night," the Vatican said.

He has been working occasionally from the hospital as Vatican business continues apace during his illness.

During the me...