Pope Francis was "resting" Thursday after spending a "peaceful night", as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia, the Vatican said.
The Holy See said the 88-year-old used an oxygen mask overnight for a third time.
The pontiff was hospitalised on 14 February at Rome's Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties but is now battling pneumonia in both lungs.
He missed the formal Ash Wednesday celebrations in Rome marking the start of Lent, but took part in a blessing in the private suite reserved for popes on the tenth floor of the Gemelli.
Christians across the globe, celebrating Ash Wednesday, prayed for the pontiff's recovery, including in his native Argentina.
The leader of the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics has not been seen in public since his hospitalisation.
