Pope Francis has written and spoken at length about sickness, aging and death. And he has personally directed that his doctors provide the fairly detailed daily updates that have punctuated his own battle with pneumonia.

Pope Francis continues to receive high-flow oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and a non-invasive mechanical mask at night.

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital for almost a month, remains stable and a recent X-ray confirmed improvements in his condition that had been seen in previous days, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

If the last few days are any guide, Francis will likely follow the Vatican’s spiritual retreat remotely while his physical and respiratory therapy continues.