Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in hospital, the Vatican said Friday, a day after it noted improvement in his clinical condition for a second straight day.

After being admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 for breathing difficulties, the pontiff's condition sparked widespread alarm as it deteriorated into pneumonia in both lungs.

The Vatican has released some optimistic statements however. "As in the past days, the night has passed quietly and the pope is now resting," the Vatican said in its morning bulletin on the 88-year-old's health.

After a difficult weekend in which the Argentine, who has been pope since 2013, suffered a respiratory attack, the Vatican this week noted slight, incremental improvements in his condition.