Pope marks 12 years in job in hospital and with future uncertain

Pope Francis marked 12 years as head of the Catholic Church on Thursday, seemingly out of danger after a month in hospital but with his health casting a shadow over his future.

The 88-year-old pontiff was for a time critically ill as he battled pneumonia in both lungs at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on February 14.

The Argentine cleric's situation has markedly improved since then and is reported by the Vatican to be stable.

Francis spent Thursday morning following prayers and meditations in the Vatican via videolink, without being seen, alongside his usual treatments and physiotherapy, the Holy See said.

While no special events were announced for his anniversary, the Vatican said he was shown hundreds of messages of goodwill sent from schools, religious institutions and young people.

Talk is now turning to when he might go home but his hospital stay -- the longest and most fraught of his papacy -- has raised doubts about his ability to lead the world's nearly 1.4 billion Catholics.