Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night and his doctors believe he will continue to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in the latest positive update as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia.

Pope Francis's medical condition is continuing to improve, according to the Vatican, with the 88-year-old pontiff no longer relying on mechanical help to breathe at night.

The statement added that while ventilation had been “suspended”, the pope still receives oxygen via a small plastic tube under his nose. The Vatican press office also said tha