Pope Francis showing "gradual, slight improvement" amid double pneumonia treatment

Pope Francis is responding well to treatment and has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday, as he remains in the hospital with double pneumonia.

The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, has remained stable, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors reported in the Vatican's statement. However, they said his prognosis is guarded, meaning that he's not out of danger yet.

The doctors said that such stability "as a consequence testifies to a good response to therapy." It's the first time doctors have reported Francis responding positively to the treatment for the complex lung infection that was diagnosed after he was hospitalized on Feb. 14.