Pope Francis is “alert and responsive” as he remains hospitalized with pneumonia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said after visiting the pontiff.

While the Vatican has been providing twice-daily updates on his condition and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said they “joked around as usual” during her visit Wednesday, all kinds of reports — true and not — abound about Francis' health.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited Pope Francis for 20 minutes in the hospital Wednesday and reported he was “alert and responsive” and full of good humor, despite his diagnosis of

The pontiff's condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease, according to doctors.

Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors for Pope Francis, said he is a “fragile” patient given his advanced age and chronic health issues.

“Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he continues to receive in these hours,” the Vatican statement said. The pope expressed particular gratitude for the well wishes he received from his fellow patients in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and asked for continued prayers.

The United Arab Emirates plan investments in Italy worth 40 billion dollars, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday, without giving a time frame.

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.