Vatican News

In another sign that Pope Francis' stay in Rome's Gemelli hospital will continue for some time, the Vatican announced a substitute presider for the Mass and ordinations as part of the Jubilee of Deacons.

Pope Francis is suffering from a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract," test results revealed Feb. 17, "which required a further modification of his therapy," a Vatican medical bulletin said.

After suffering from bronchitis for more than a week and having obvious difficulty breathing, the 88-year-old Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 14.

Pope Francis has added the feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata, a "beacon of hope" and an example of loving service to the poorest of the poor, to the General Roman Calendar so that her "Optional Memorial shall be celebrated by all on 5 September every year."

The Regnum Christi Federation, which includes the Legionaries of Christ, says the Vatican has given the federation's statutes "definitive approval."

Pope Francis has extended the terms of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as subdean, the Vatican press office announced.

It is unacceptable that a child's right to life and a dignified childhood should be sacrificed to "the idols" of power, profit, ideology and nationalistic self-interest, Pope Francis told a group of world experts and leaders.

When a holy day of obligation falls on a Sunday and so is transferred to another day, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to attend Mass, but they are not obliged to do so, the Vatican said.

"Technological progress is part of God's plan for creation," the Vatican said, but people must take responsibility for using technologies like artificial intelligence to help humanity and not harm individuals or groups.

The use of artificial intelligence in schools must not threaten "the indispensable relationship between teacher and student" that lies at the heart of education, the Vatican said.