The devil, who lies and sows divisions, tests everyone, even Jesus, Pope Francis said in a written homily.

Pope Francis’ continued “gradual, slight improvement” is a sign that he is responding to the therapy he is receiving at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, his doctors said.

Pope Francis continues to rest, pray, follow his doctors’ prescribed therapies and work a bit throughout the day, the Vatican press office said March 7.

In a world where people are tempted to build walls to exclude others, Christians and Muslims are challenged to build, through dialogue, a shared future based on fraternity, leaders of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue said in a message to Muslims around the world.

On his 21st day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis recorded a 27-second audio message thanking people for their prayers.

On his 21st day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis’ condition remained stable, and he continued his respiratory and physical therapy “with benefit” March 6, his doctors said.

Like St. John Paul II, Pope Francis knows the “cross of Christ is never abandoned” and that everything is in God’s hands, said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was the late pope’s personal secretary for 39 years.

Pope Francis asked Christians to help protect nature from human greed and exploitation during the Holy Year.

Pope Francis marked Ash Wednesday on his 20th day in Rome’s Gemelli hospital by taking part in the rite of the blessing of the ashes and receiving them in a short prayer service, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis has expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of prayers from all over the world, said Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who has visited the pope twice in the hospital.