The Vatican says Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition with double pneumonia, was well enough to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Francis is continuing his therapy for bronchitis and pneumonia, but the Vatican provided no indication of when he might be released from the hospital.

But as Pope Francis has battled double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli hospital since February 14, the Vatican has been trying something new. The Holy See press office has been giving daily updates on his condition.