As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.

Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

Pope Francis has participated remotely in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat after getting good news from his doctors

Pope Francis is showing a "good response" to his treatment for double pneumonia and his doctors have determined his prognosis is no longer guarded, the Vatican said on Monday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks.

Doctors are still cautious and have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment, not to mention a period of rehabilitation he will likely need.