Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

ROME (AP) — 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 shared an update on Pope Francis' health, confirming stability after 16 days in hospital for pneumonia. The Pontiff remains on oxygen but is improving.

Pope Francis was in critical but stable condition Tuesday as he worked from the hospital while battling double pneumonia, and the Vatican announced some major governing decisions that suggest he is getting essential work done and looking ahead.

Pope Francis has not been seen in public since entering the hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013.

The Vatican says that Pope Francis has stabilized enough after two respiratory crises to resume using a nasal tube for oxygen, rather than a ventilation mask

Pope Francis, who suffered two respiratory crises on Monday as he battles double pneumonia, has stabilised and no longer needs to use mechanical ventilation for help breathing, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Pope Francis was taken off mechanical ventilation and is stabilizing Tuesday following a pair of breathing crises, Vatican sources told Fox News.

Pope Francis suffered two episodes of acute respiratory failure Monday, the Vatican said, a fresh setback in the worst health crisis of his papacy.

The 88-year-old, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, experienced two acute respiratory crises on Monday.