Pope Francis had a "restful night" in a hospital and his bronchitis was improve, the Vatican said Saturday. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office told journalists Francis, 88, "slept well" after being admitted to Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Friday.

Pope Francis is continuing his treatment for a respiratory infection at Rome's Gemelli Hospital but his condition is improving, according to a Feb. 15 update from the Vatican press office.

The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis after being sick for over a week, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been battling health problems for years, has begun treatment in a Rome hospital.

Pope Francis was taken to hospital on Friday with bronchitis and he will skip several planned public events over the next three days, the Vatican said, after the 88-year-old pontiff was seen struggling to speak during one of his meetings in the morning.

Pope Francis, who was admitted to a hospital in Rome for bronchitis, is in “fair” condition with a “respiratory tract infection,” the Vatican said Friday in what is the latest in a string of ailments that have raised concerns about the 88-year-old pontiff’s health.

Doctors have prescribed “absolute rest” for Pope Francis to help him recover from a respiratory tract infection

Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday for the fourth time since being elected in 2013, after he was diagnosed with bronchitis last week. Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and has recurring bouts of bronchitis,