After Pope Francis experienced one of his worst days since entering the hospital, hundreds of faithful from around the world continue to gather nightly in Vatican City to pray for his recovery.

Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

Pope Francis will need to sleep overnight with a mask for "mechanical ventilation," the Vatican said on Tuesday evening. Unlike the previous day, the 88-year-old has not experienced any further episodes of shortness of breath,