Pope Francis remained in critical condition on Monday but showed "slight improvement" in lab results and resumed some of his duties, including calling a Christian cleric in the Gaza Strip, according to the Vatican.

The Vatican's evening bulletin was more optimistic compared to previous days, as the 88-year-old pope battles pneumonia in both lungs at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to the Associated Press.

The bulletin was issued by the Vatican's second-in-command during an evening recital of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square, reminiscent of the rituals held when Saint John Paul II was on his deathbed.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the gathered crowd under the rain, saying, "For two thousand years, Christians have prayed for the Pope when he was in danger or sick.

Standing on the same platform from which Francis usually leads prayers, he added that since the Pope's hospitalization, prayers for his recovery have risen from all over the world.

The Argentine pope, who had part of one lung removed when he was young, has been hospitalized since February 14. Doctors described his condition as critical due to his age, frailty, and chronic lung disease.

However, Monday's report indicated that he had not experienced any additional respiratory crises since Saturday and that he still receives supplemental oxygen but at slightly lower flow rates and concentrations.

Doctors explained that the mild kidney failure discovered on Sunday is not a cause for concern at the moment, emphasizing that the overall diagnosis remains cautious.

Francis received the Holy Eucharist on Monday morning and resumed work in the afternoon.

The statement added, "In the evening, he called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness.

For over a year, Pope Francis has been daily checking in via video calls with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family in Gaza.

Romanelli said he received a call from Francis immediately after his hospitalization but had not been contacted since. Romanelli sent a video to the Pope, who then called to thank him, according to the Vatican.

The Vatican stated that Francis is in good spirits, does not feel pain, and does not receive artificial nutrition.

With a full 10 days, this marks the longest hospitalization for Pope Francis since he took office. He spent 10 days at Gemelli Hospital in Rome in 2021 after the removal of 33 centimeters of his colon.