Francis

The crisis was a new setback in the Pope’s fight to recover from a complicated respiratory infection, which has lasted more than two weeks. Pope Francis has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

At the entrance of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Catholic faithful and well-wishers lit candles, placed cards, drawings, and balloons, and stood in solidarity.

The 88-year-old pope received high flows of oxygen and blood transfusions in hospital as he battles a complex lung infection.

In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff’s haemodynamic parameters are stable and that he is able to breathe independently.

The ageing Catholic leader’s health has been a matter of public concern for some time.

Justin Francis founded Responsible Travel as a groundbreaking holiday company seeking to drive change in tourism.