The Vatican on Monday announced the start of nighttime prayers for the health of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, and invited Romans and others to join in, as the 88-year-old pontiff battled a complex lung infection and complications.

Pope Francis remained in critical but stable condition Tuesday, with his blood parameters remaining stable as he works from the hospital while battling double pneumonia, the Vatican said.The Vatican's evening update said the 88-year-old pope underwent a follow-up CAT scan in Tuesday evening to check the lung infection.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis, hospitalized in critical condition with double pneumonia, was well enough to meet with the Vatican secretary of state to approve new decrees for saints and call a formal meeting to set the dates for their canonization, the Vatican said Tuesday.