VATICAN CITY, February 25. /TASS/. Pope Francis, who is being treated for double pneumonia at the hospital, was visited by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, and Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, Undersecretary of State for General Affairs on February 24, the Holy See said.

The meeting was held to approve various decisions, including matters related to the dicastery for the causes of saints.

The Vatican said on February 24 that the condition of the 88-year-old pontiff, who suffered a severe respiratory episode on February 22, has improved slightly. According to sources close to the Vatican, his condition remains "the same as last night." The Pope was able to sleep through the night without interruptions and sedatives. He even got up on his own.

The TASS correspondent was also told that Francis wakes up very early out of habit — he usually starts the day at 5 a.m. — so he can fall asleep again in the morning after several hours of wakefulness, "given his illness." Francis is receiving "prescribed therapy."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited him last week.

On February 24 evening, a prayer service for the Pope's recovery was held in St. Peter's Square. It was headed by Cardinal Parolin, and was attended by all the cardinals in Rome, members of the Curia, employees of the papal city-state, priests of Roman parishes, as well as numerous believers and tourists. Greetings and wishes for a speedy recovery to Francis have also come in from representatives of other religious denominations.