March 13 (UPI) -- Pope Francis marked the 12th year of his pontificate Thursday while still recovering from lung infection. The anniversary is a public holiday at the Vatican but no events were planned to celebrate the occasion. Advertisement Francis' condition was described as "stationary" Wednesday as the Vatican said he had been improving. In a press release , the Vatican recalled his involvement in several events during the past year, in which he turned 88. Related Pope Francis no longer