As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.

Pope Francis is showing a "good response" to his treatment for double pneumonia and his doctors have determined his prognosis is no longer guarded, the Vatican said on Monday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks.