Pope Francis is responding “well” to therapy for double pneumonia and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday. But as a precaution his doctors have decided to keep his prognosis as guarded.

The 88-year-old pope has remained stable, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors said.

Pope Francis was showing a "gradual, mild improvement" on his 23rd consecutive day in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, the Vatican said Saturday.