Vatican City: Pope's condition has improved after hospitalization

Pope Francis rested well last night and his condition "has significantly improved," the Vatican said. The 86-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection. A test done for the coronavirus, showed it was absent.

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pontiff, who had part of a lung removed in his youth, ate breakfast on his own today, read newspapers and worked on some documents. Before lunch, he even prayed in a small chapel in a private apartment near the hospital and took the Eucharist.

Vatican officials and the many faithful planning to celebrate the Catholic Easter in Rome on April 9 are particularly concerned about Francis' health on the eve of an eventful week before the holiday.