If the last few days are any guide, the 88-year-old will likely follow the Vatican’s spiritual retreat remotely while his physical and respiratory therapy continues.

Pope Francis has spent 19 full days at Rome's Gemelli hospital, however, it doesn't come close to approaching the record-long stays of St. John Paul II during his quarter-century pontificate.

Pope Francis is on his 29th straight day in the hospital, a day after he marked the 12th anniversary of when he was elected pope.