Pope Francis, who is spending his sixth day in hospital for treatment of a respiratory infection, is alert and ate breakfast on Wednesday, the Vatican said in its latest update on the pontiff’s fragile health.

Pope Francis "joked around" with Giorgia Meloni after spending a "tranquil" fifth night in hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for pneumonia, Italy's prime minister has said.

Pope Francisis "slightly improving" and his blood analyses are stable, the Vatican said on Thursday, in the latest sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.