Pope Francis has thanked well-wishers as he remains in a stable condition with pneumonia in hospital for the 17th day.
Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with respiratory problems that degenerated into double pneumonia - a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe.
The Vatican said on Saturday evening that the pontiff's condition had stabilised, following an "isolated" breathing crisis on Saturday.
"I would like to thank you for the prayers," Francis said in a statement released by the Vatican in place of his usual Sunday prayer with pilgrims, which the pope was not able to lead for the third week running.
"I feel all your affection and closeness and ... I feel as if I am 'carried' and supported by all God's people," the message said.
Francis also met at the hospital on Sunday with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's number-two official, and Parolin's deputy, the Vatican said.
The pope, who is known to work himself to exhaustion, has continued leading the Vatican during his hospital stay and last met Parolin and the deputy at the Gemelli on February 24.
Earlier on Sunday, the Vatican said in a one-line update that the pope had rested well overnight. A full medical update on his condition is expected on Sunday evening.
The pope suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways on Friday, akin to an asthma attack.
Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
The pope has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.
