Pope Francis approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, the Vatican said on Saturday, in a sign the 88-year-old pontiff plans to continue on as pope despite his ongoing battle with double pneumonia.

Francis has extended the work of the Synod of Bishops, a signature initiative of his 12-year papacy, which has discussed reforms such as the possibility of women serving as Catholic deacons and better inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church.

Pope Francis is celebrating a major milestone of 12 years at the helm of the Catholic Church. It's a subdued celebration as the pontiff continues to undergo therapy in a Rome hospital. He was elected after five ballots in the 2013 conclave after Pope Benedict XVI's resignation.