Pope Francis was hospitalized on Friday as he suffers from an ongoing bout of bronchitis, the Vatican tells Fox News. He is also expected to undergo tests during his stay, according to a report.

Pope Francis was sitting upright and receiving therapy for double pneumonia Wednesday, the Vatican said, as Argentines, Romans and others kept up the steady stream of prayers for his recovery.

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi has responded to reports that Pope Francis has shown the onset of double pneumonia, which has further complicated treatment for the 88-year pontiff. Mississippi's Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson is the largest diocese in Mississippi by area.

Fresh off her trip to the Vatican, Sister Norma Pimentel says she is heartened by a recent letter from Pope Francis condemning the deportation of immigrants. In his letter to U.S. bishops, the pope called the mass deportations a “major crisis that is taking place in the United States.

Francis has complained of breathing trouble and was diagnosed with bronchitis Feb. 6, but had continued to hold daily audiences until Friday.

The slight renal insufficiency the pope had in recent days subsided and a CAT scan of the chest showed a normal evolution of the pulmonary inflammatory picture.

Concerns over Pope Francis' health have mounted in recent years as have questions about his succession. Here's what we know.

Pope Francis has shown a "further, slight improvement" in his medical condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia. The pope is spending his 13th night at Rome's Gemelli hospital,

For the latest news, view USA TODAY's story on the pope for Wednesday, Feb. 25. Pope Francis remained in "critical but stable" condition Tuesday, receiving the Holy Eucharist, working from his hospital room and receiving his daily therapy for bronchitis and pneumonia.

The combination of health issues has kept the Pope from performing his public duties, including weekly prayers on Sundays, but his doctors have recently said he is alert, joking, and continuing to work, as well as reading messages from well-wishers around the world.

Pope Francis is sitting upright and receiving therapy for double pneumonia while he remains in critical condition.