The Vatican says Pope Francis is responding well to therapy for double pneumonia and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days.

The 88-year-old pope has remained stable, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors said.

Francis worked and rested during the day on Saturday, as he entered his fourth week at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with his condition stabilised after a few bouts of acute respiratory crises last week.