THE King still plans to meet the Pope next month during a State visit to Vatican City and Italy – despite his hospital stay. Pope Francis, 88, has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with

King Charles III is scheduled to have an audience with Pope Francis during a state visit next month to the Vatican, suggesting the Holy See is optimistic the pontiff will be back at work by then, barring any setbacks in his recovery from double pneumonia.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, in hospital for more than a month with pneumonia, did not need to use an oxygen mask overnight as the 88-year-old’s condition gradually improves, the Vatican said on March 18.

Pope Francis, in hospital for more than a month with pneumonia, did not need to use an oxygen mask overnight as the 88-year-old's condition gradually improves, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Pope Francis’s condition has continued to improve and he no longer needs to use noninvasive mechanical ventilation to help him breathe at night