Pope Francis' Condition Continues To Improve, But Reportedly Will Not Lead Easter This Year

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Benhur Arcayan)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis' health condition continues to improve, after receiving antibiotic infusions for infectious bronchitis, the Vatican said in a statement Thursday local time.

The Pope was taken to hospital on Wednesday after complaining of difficulty breathing, raising new concerns over the 86-year-old religious leader, who is suffering from a number of illnesses.

Quoting Pope Francis' medical team, the Vatican said he had been diagnosed with an infectious bronchitis virus, a highly contagious respiratory disease, which requires intravenous antibiotic infusions.

"(This) results in the expected effect with a marked increase in his health condition," the statement said.

"Based on the expected progress, the Holy Father can be repatriated in the coming days," the statement continued.

The Vatican said the Pope had spent the afternoon "abdicated himself to rest, pray and work."

"I was touched by the many messages received at these hours and I would like to thank you for the closeness and prayer," the Pope wrote separately on Twitter.

Separately, it is unclear whether Pope Francis will be able to participate in the upcoming Holy Week event, one of the busiest periods in the Church calendar, which starts with Palm Sunday on April 2.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals said they had been told by the Vatican that the Pope would not preside over this year's Easter service, so cardinals would share tasks between them.

However, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told the AGI news agency Pope Francis was expected to attend the main Mass on Easter Day itself, which falls on April 9.

Last year, the Pope sat on the one hand during several Easter events due to persistent knee pain, and handed it over to the senior cardinals to lead the Mass.

Separately, Catholics and leaders continue to pray in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, for the recovery of the Pope.

"We hope he will recover soon and celebrate Easter Mass," said a nurse from Tanzania, Sister Faustina.

"We love her so much," said a nurse from Congo, Sister Michaela.

Prayers were also held for Pope Francis in his home country, Argentina, which he has not visited since he was elected pope a decade ago.

"Day after day, with intensive work, unique to a Pope, he spent his life serving the Church," said Father Alejandro Russo of Buenos Aires.

"That's why we pray for whale health without worrying, because we know that this is a short pause."