Pope Francis remains under treatment for a “polymicrobial” respiratory infection at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Nicknamed “Vatican III” by John Paul II, this medical complex has been welcoming ailing popes since the 20th century in what resembles a “small city.

Pope Francis’ overall clinical condition is “improving slightly” and his heart is working well as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican said Thursday, as some of his cardinals cheered him on and insisted that the Catholic Church was very much alive and well even in his absence.

On Wednesday, the Vatican said Pope Francis “had a tranquil night, woke up and had breakfast,” saying he was in good spirits.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) – On Pope Francis’ fifth day in a Rome hospital, doctors repeated their assessment that his condition was “complex” after a CT scan of his chest revealed the onset of pneumonia in both lungs.

Rome's Gemelli University Hospital, located just five kilometres from the Vatican, has long been the preferred medical facility for popes. Situated on Monte Mario in the western part of the Italian capital,

Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in hospital and ate breakfast on Thursday, the Vatican said in its latest update on the pontiff's health. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee, writing by Claudia Cristoferi,

In an update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that Francis has no fever and that his health indicators remain stable.

Pope Francis slept well and ate breakfast Wednesday, the Vatican said, after he developed pneumonia in both lungs in a further complication in the condition of the 88-year-old pontiff that raised concerns about his ability to fight off the infection.

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since Feb. 14, apparently got out of bed for breakfast and is showing "slight improvement" in his medical tests, according to Vatican News.