Carol Glatz

The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.

Pope Francis continues to show small signs of improvement and spends his days following through on all his therapies, doing some light work and praying, according to the Vatican press office.

Change can be frightening, but the Holy Spirit encourages the faithful to face their fears, follow Jesus’ light and be “born again,” Pope Francis said in a prepared text.

Pope Francis has been able to spend brief moments of the day without any supplemental oxygen, which is yet another sign of the gradual improvement in his condition, the Vatican press office said.

After one full month of being hospitalized and treated for double pneumonia and other respiratory infections, Pope Francis’ medical condition has decidedly stabilized, the Vatican press office said.