On Saturday, Pope Francis continued his recovery from double pneumonia as the Vatican's Holy Year celebrations progressed without his presence. According to a morning update from the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff was resting comfortably as he entered his fourth week at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where his condition had stabilized following several episodes of acute respiratory crises.

Pope Francis, who has a history of chronic lung disease and underwent lung surgery in his youth, was hospitalized after initially being diagnosed with bronchitis on February 14. His condition worsened, leading to complex respiratory tract infections and double pneumonia, ultimately sidelining him for the longest period in his 12-year papacy. As the Holy Year, a significant event that occurs once every quarter-century, continued, many pilgrims arrived in Rome to pray for the pope's recovery outside the hospital.

This weekend, the Holy Year celebrations were themed around volunteers, and Cardinal Michael Czerny, a close associate of Francis, presided over a Mass for the volunteers in the pope's absence. While he had managed to spend some time in the hospital chapel for prayer and light work on Friday, the Vatican reported that he required high flows of supplemental oxygen to assist with breathing during the day and used a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.

Medical experts not directly involved in Francis's care remarked on the cautious optimism surrounding his condition. Dr. Andrew Chadwick, a respiratory and intensive care specialist from Oxford University Hospitals, expressed concern about the pope's prolonged hospitalization and the growing risk of secondary infections. Although Francis had finally stabilized, doctors were under the impression that they would have seen more improvement after three weeks in acute care.

Dr. Jeffrey Millstein, a clinical assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that while the lack of significant progress in three weeks might not be surprising, it was encouraging that the pope could breathe part of the day with just a nasal oxygen tube. He described Francis's situation as precarious, advising that recovery would likely be a lengthy journey requiring careful monitoring for any setbacks.

The ongoing Jubilee celebrations have attracted many pilgrims to Rome, who wish to show their support and prayers for the pope. While he continues to face health challenges, many remain hopeful for his recovery as the Vatican perseveres with its extensive plans for the Holy Year.