Pope Francis has entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia very much looking ahead as he continued work on a priority of his papacy.

Pope Francis has approved a new three-year reform process for the Catholic Church, sending a strong signal he plans to continue in the post despite spending more than a month in hospital battling pneumonia.

Pope Francis approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, the Vatican said on Saturday, in a sign the 88-year-old pontiff plans to continue on as pope despite his ongoing battle with double pneumonia.

Pope Francis is gradually recovering from double pneumonia as he remains hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital. Despite his health issues, he's focused on Church reforms, indicating his desire to continue his papacy.

Pope Francis has entered his fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia and is continuing the work of his papacy as signs of his recovery remain positive. Francis remains in stable condition,