Pope Francis has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" after more than three weeks in the hospital, the Vatican said Saturday.

Pope Francis is showing a "good response" to his treatment in hospital for double pneumonia and his overall condition is gradually improving, the Vatican said on Saturday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment.

Pope Francis remains on daily oxygen therapy during his third week in the hospital, with his prognosis still "guarded," the Holy See Press Office said in a Saturday update. Francis has been critically ill with double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis after being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14.