Pope Francis is no longer using ventilation to help him breath at night, the Vatican says. The 88-year-old has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks battling pneumonia. The Vatican has not yet given a time frame for the pontiff's discharge, saying his recovery is going slowly.

Pope Francis’s condition has continued to improve and he no longer needs to use noninvasive mechanical ventilation to help him breathe at night.

Pope Francis' condition continues to improve and he no longer requires mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night in the treatment of double pneumonia, the Vatican said Wednesday.