Pope Francis is set to mark the 12th anniversary of his election as head of the Catholic Church this Thursday, but instead of celebrating at the Vatican, he remains at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia for nearly a month.

Despite concerns about his health, Vatican updates confirm that the 88-year-old pontiff is steadily improving and no longer in immediate danger. However, no official discharge date has been announced.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, made history as the first pope from the Americas. Since his election on March 13, 2013, he has reshaped the Catholic Church, overhauling the Vatican's bureaucracy, authoring four major teaching documents, embarking on 47 international trips to more than 65 countries, and canonizing over 900 saints.

His hospitalization has changed how Catholics worldwide are marking this milestone. Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official and close ally of the pope, described the occasion as one of deep gratitude.

“This year, his illness makes us even more aware of the anniversary, more grateful to God, and more committed in our prayers for his full recovery,” Czerny stated.

As Pope Francis continues his recovery, millions of Catholics are praying for his health, reflecting on his legacy, and celebrating his transformative leadership over the past 12 years.