Morena supporters and young people aged 19 to 29 are the most supportive of Pope Francis, according to the EF survey

The health of Pope Francis has kept the religious community in suspense after the pontiff was hospitalized for a serious lung infection , causing Catholics to go to churches to raise their prayers for the Pope's recovery.

According to a survey by El Financiero published on Monday, 69 percent of Mexicans have a good opinion of Pope Francis , among them those who stand out the most are Morena supporters and young people aged 19 to 29.

These levels of popularity come after the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14 after suffering from bronchitis with a polymicrobial infection, which was accompanied by bilateral pneumonia .

According to this newspaper's survey, the most favorable segment of the pope are Mexicans aged 18 to 29, among whom the favorable opinion reaches 77 percent . While the opinion of citizens aged 30 to 49 is 62 percent.

In previous days, the Vatican detailed that Francis' health had worsened, finding himself in a "critical" phase, after suffering an asthmatic respiratory crisis for which they had to give him "high flows" of oxygen .

That day, the Holy See confirmed that blood tests had shown “an initial and mild” renal failure; however, it noted that “ for the moment it was under control .”

The survey details that the positive opinion of Pope Francis is slightly higher among women, with 71 percent , than among men, which is 68 percent.

Meanwhile, students in primary and secondary education expressed a favorable opinion of the Pope in greater proportion, 70 and 72 percent, compared to people with university studies, which is 62 percent.

The poll also indicates that 73 percent of Morena supporters have a favorable opinion of the pontiff, followed by opponents, with 70 percent.

Pope Francis showed slight improvement in laboratory tests on Monday, February 24 , and resumed some work activities, including a call to a parish in Gaza City with which he has been in contact since the war began, the Vatican reported.

The Vatican's evening bulletin was more optimistic than in recent days. It said Francis, who suffers from pneumonia in both lungs , had not had any further respiratory crises . The slight kidney failure detected on Sunday was not a cause for concern; however, he continues to receive supplemental oxygen, so the pontiff received the Eucharist in the morning and resumed his work in the afternoon.

"In the evening he called the priest of the Gaza parish to express his paternal closeness," the statement said.

The Vatican earlier announced the start of nightly prayers for the pope's health in St. Peter's Square and invited Romans and others to join in as the pontiff battles a complex lung infection and complications.

The Vatican's number two, Cardinal Pietro Parolin , plans to lead the first prayer on Monday evening.

Francis was awake and in good spirits on Monday. He is not in pain and is not receiving artificial nutrition , the Vatican said.

"The night went well, the Pope slept and is resting," he said. A medical report was expected later in the day.

At Gemelli Hospital, where Francis has been staying following a worsening of bronchitis , Bishop Claudio Giulio Dori presided over an emotional, packed Mass in the chapel dedicated to John Paul ; some of the 200 or so mourners wore white doctor's coats or green surgical uniforms; some knelt in prayer.

* With information from AP