POPE Francis is set to stay in hospital for another week as the Pontiff battles pneumonia and bronchitis.
Speaking at a church event in Bologna this week, he said: “The fact that the Pope had breakfast, read the papers [and] met people indicates that we are heading in the right direction for a full recovery that we hope will happen soon.".
Francis has previously said he would consider it after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, did so.
The Pope has been staying in a special ward in Rome's Gemelli hospital since Friday, where he was admitted after a week of suffering from bronchitis.
Francis' doctors issued the latest update on the Pontiff's health as he has spent eight days battling double-lung pneumonia in hospital.
