The Vatican’s early Friday update also suggested a level of normalcy and routine as the 88-year-old pope continues recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised for two weeks battling double pneumonia, has spent another peaceful night and is now resting, the Vatican said on Friday. Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with what was originally described as a bronchitis and was later revealed to have developed into something more serious.

Pope Francis' condition is improving as he undergoes high-flow oxygen therapy, the Vatican said in a statement. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks.

Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, suffered a breathing “crisis” on Friday which caused him to vomit but he was given air and responded well, the Vatican said. The episode came just hours after a Vatican source said the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition was no longer considered critical,

Pope Francis had an "isolated breathing crisis" in hospital on Friday, the Vatican said, in a setback as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

The Vatican has said that Pope Francis, who is being treated for pneumonia in hospital, suffered a breathing crisis on Friday, causing him to vomit before he was given air