VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis was breathing on his own despite his pneumonia, a Vatican source said on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over the hospitalised 88-year-old´s condition.

The pontiff was admitted to a Rome hospital with bronchitis last week after suffering breathing difficulties, but the Holy See revealed on Tuesday that he had developed pneumonia in both of his lungs.

The pneumonia is the latest of a series of health issues for the Jesuit, who has undergone hernia and colon surgery since 2021 and uses a wheelchair due to pain in his knee.