Faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Monday (February 24) as Pope Francis remains critically ill but alert, according to the Vatican. Could these jumping mice change how astronauts exercise?

The pontiff "continues to be alert and well oriented" and has not had any further respiratory crises, the Vatican said.

While the Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, they do not apply if he is sick or even unconscious.

Cardinal Michael Czerny says Pope Francis has meant a great deal to the Catholic church — and to the world — as he served with a view to the 'common good.' Czerny, a Canadian who was appointed to his current role by Francis,

Pope Francis's condition "remains critical", the Vatican said Sunday on his 10th day in hospital as Catholics around the world prayed for the 88-year-old's recovery.

Catholics in Buenos Aires attended Mass on Sunday to pray for Pope Francis' recovery. (Video by Cristian Kovadloff)

As Catholics around the world pray for Pope Francis to recover from health ailments that have left the 88-year-old pontiff in critical condition, "Conclave," a fictional thriller about the process of selecting a new pope,

The pope looms so large in everyday Italian life that there are lots of expressions that make light of even a dark event like his death.

At a Mass in the cathedral of Buenos Aires on Sunday, numerous worshippers prayed for the ailing Pope Francis, who was born in the Argentinian capital. In front of the church where the pope used to work,

Pope Francis remains in critical condition but is stable and returned to work Tuesday evening, the Vatican announced.

ROME — Pope Francis remained in critical condition and resting Wednesday, as Argentines and Romans alike gathered in the Eternal City to pray for his recovery from double pneumonia. The Vatican’s short morning update said: “The pope had a peaceful night and is resting.”