Pope Francis, in hospital for fourth day, in stable condition, Vatican says

Vatican City - Pope Francis began a fourth day in hospital on Monday, with the Vatican saying treatment was continuing for a respiratory tract infection and he remained in a stable condition.

The 88-year-old pontiff slept well overnight and had eaten breakfast on Monday, said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. A further update on the pope's condition would come later on Monday, Bruni said.

Francis, who has been suffering from bronchitis for more than a week, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday.

His doctors have advised complete rest, and Francis was unable to deliver his regular weekly prayer on Sunday to pilgrims in St Peter's Square or lead a special mass for artists to mark the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year.

The Vatican on Sunday described his condition as "stable" and said his treatment was ongoing. It said earlier he would remain in hospital for as long as required.

While in hospital over the weekend, the pope continued his recent practice of making phone calls to speak with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, Italian broadcaster Mediaset reported on Monday.

One of the parish members said Francis had called on both Friday and Saturday and was in "good humor" but sounded "a bit tired."

The Vatican has cancelled the pope's visit to Rome's Cinecitta film studios, scheduled for Monday.

"Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you accompany me in these days," the pope wrote on X on Sunday.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Gianluca Semeraro; Editing by Giselda Vagnoni and Janet Lawrence)