The pope's doctor says Francis has shown ''a truly surprising improvement'' since returning to the Vatican to convalesce after surviving a life-threatening bout with double-pneumonia.

ROME — The Vatican on Friday said Pope Francis’ health has continued to improve after his release from hospital. The 88-year-old is still receiving oxygen through a tube in his nose, but at a lower dose, a Vatican spokesman said. Francis is also having fewer problems speaking than earlier this week, the spokesman added.

Pope Francis is continuing his recovery at his residence in Vatican City after a serious bout of pneumonia that required over a month of hospitalization. The Vatican announced Friday that his condition has “improved slightly,