Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State and president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, March 1, marking his departure from these crucial Vatican positions.

For the third week, Pope Francis missed leading the Angelus prayer at Saint Peter's Square as he battles with a lung illness. Despite that, faithful gathered in Vatican City to pray for the Pontiff.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina led the daily vigil Thursday in St. Peter’s Square to pray for Pope Francis. The pope continued to improve from double pneumonia, the Vatican said, though doctors said he needs more days of “clinical stability” before they revise their guarded prognosis.

Raffaella Petrini has been appointed as the first female President of the Vatican City State becoming the governor of the 44-hectare area.

Despite his hospitalization, the pope has maintained a degree of governance and authorized the appointment of four new bishops.