Prognosis for pontiff, 88, remains guarded as he is treated in hospital for pneumonia and kidney failure

Pope Francis, who is in hospital with pneumonia and “mild” kidney failure, remains in a critical condition although there was a “slight improvement” on Monday, the Vatican said.

The pontiff, 88, has not had any further asthma-style attacks and “some laboratory tests have improved”, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday evening.