Ailing Pope Francis's condition is "stable" and he has not suffered a fresh breathing crisis, the Vatican said Thursday, as the 88-year-old nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. "The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable compared to the previous days",

Pope Francis' condition remained stable on Tuesday, and his prognosis remains reserved, according to the Vatican. The pope had needed medical intervention amid two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday,

The recorded message was the first released by the Vatican since Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory illness on Feb. 14.