Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square on a chilly, rainy evening to pray for an ailing Pope Francis.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition as the Vatican called senior church officials in Rome to a special saying of the rosary in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis' doctors "are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis" as the pontiff's condition of respiratory and kidney issues "despite its severity has shown a slight improvement" at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.