According to a Vatican source, Pope Francis had a restful second night in the hospital receiving treatment for bronchitis, and a top cardinal predicted the 86-year-old will be released as soon as Saturday.

The pontiff was brought to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday, and doctors late Thursday reported a “significant improvement” in his health. They added that he might return home “in the coming days.”

According to the information I have, the pope will depart Gemelli tomorrow, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, stated to the Adnkronos news agency on Friday.

He expressed hope that Francis would be able to preside over services for Holy Week and Easter, Christianity’s most important holiday, which begins with this weekend’s Palm Sunday celebrations.

The Vatican did not respond to requests for confirmation. A source earlier said that he had passed the night “peacefully”.

The pope’s admission to the hospital, just weeks after he marked 10 years as head of the worldwide Catholic Church, has sparked widespread concern while also fuelling speculation about his future.