Pope Francis, spending his seventh day in hospital as he battles pneumonia, is alert and got out of bed to eat breakfast on Thursday morning, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old pontiff is undergoing treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital,

The recent deterioration of his health has led to fears that the Pope may be in the final chapters of his life. He also reportedly told some close aides that he thinks he "might not make it this time".

Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized last Friday with bronchitis, the Vatican said, and now has a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.”