Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pray for him, as he continues to receive treatment in hospital for double pneumonia. The pontiff was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second Sunday running.

Rome's Gemelli University Hospital, located just five kilometres from the Vatican, has long been the preferred medical facility for popes. Situated on Monte Mario in the western part of the Italian capital,

Pope Francis's ninth night in hospital was peaceful, the Vatican said Sunday, the day after revealing the 88-year-old was in a "critical" condition.The pope had on Saturday suffered a prolonged respiratory attack and required blood transfusions,