As Pope Francis has battled double pneumonia in hospital for nearly three weeks, talk of the 88-year-old pontiff's death or resignation has become almost commonplace.

The pope rested well all night,” the Vatican said in its update from Gemelli hospital, where Francis has been hospitalized since Feb. 14.

Pope Francis has suffered two episodes of acute respiratory failure while battling pneumonia in a hospital in Rome. The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic church has been placed back on mechanical ventilation,