Pope Francis has increased his level of physical therapy and remains in stable condition, the Vatican said on Wednesday night.

Pope Francis is still in the hospital as the church he leads marks the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Vatican says he is showing signs of improvement but still has a ways to go.

Pope Francis, the beloved 88-year-old pontiff, has been on quite the health journey lately, and it's been a rollercoaster of emotions for Catholics worldwide. It all started on February 14, when Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to bronchitis.