The 88-year-old pontiff has been at Gemelli Hospital in Rome for more than five weeks since being admitted for a severe respiratory infection on 14 February. Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the Pope, told reporters Francis was "in danger of losing his life" during "very critical episodes" in his hospital stay. The Pope will return to Santa Marta, his residence in the Vatican, on Sunday, he said. Dr Alfieri said the pontiff was now in a "stable clinical condition" but he would continue taking medication "for quite a long time". "It's very important that he follow a period of convalescence and rest for at least two months," he added. The Vatican previously said he would appear from the window of his 10th floor hospital room on Sunday to offer a blessing - which he will do before he is discharged. A photo released by the Vatican last week showed the leader of the Catholic church celebrating Sunday mass in a hospital chapel. The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis wanted to come to the hospital window around noon (11am UK time) on Sunday to give a greeting and blessing. One senior cardinal said on Friday it could take time for the Pope to "relearn to speak" after using oxygen during his hospital stay. Dr Sergio Alfieri addressed this during Saturday's news conference, pointing out that when someone has double pneumonia "the lungs are damaged". "They [lungs] have been damaged and breathing muscles have been strained. One of the first things that happens is that our voice diminishes... like when you use your voice too much." But he insisted that, in time, the voice would return to normal. Read more from Sky News:King and Queen due to meet PopePope records message from hospital Despite the Pope's discharge from hospital, there has been no update about his plans to meet the King and Queen when they make a state visit to the Vatican on 8 April. But doctors said on Saturday they had prescribed two months of convalescence and had advised him against taking any meetings with large groups or that require special effort. This period marks the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy and the longest he has been out of public view since his election as pontiff in 2013.

Fincham, 32, was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment at Southend Magistrates' Court on 29 January after pleading guilty to two counts of having a dangerously out-of-control black cane corso. But within hours of the sentencing, he was released on conditional bail and vowed to appeal it. On Friday, Fincham, who won the ITV dating show with Dani Dyer in 2018, was told by a judge at Basildon Crown Court that the original sentence had not been "just in the circumstances". Instead, Judge Samantha Leigh set aside the custodial sentence and extended a suspended sentence he was given in March last year for two unrelated offences in 2023 - drug driving and fraudulent use of a registered trademark. That order of 12 weeks custody - suspended for 18 months - has been lengthened by three months, Judge Leigh told the court. Prosecutors said Fincham's dog, Elvis, bit and injured the arm of a runner named Robert Sudell in Swanley, Kent, in September 2022. Separately in June 2024, the dog grabbed a woman's leg in Fincham's hometown of Grays, Essex. It left no injury but the animal was said to be out of control. Fincham attended a police interview of his own volition that month, when he received a caution and was told to keep the dog muzzled. Prosecuting, Hannah Steventon said police then attended a hotel in August 2024 following reports the dog had been in a public pool area and was not on a lead or muzzled. Defending, Richard Cooper, said Fincham had chosen the hotel specifically because it was advertised as "dog-friendly" online. He then "let him off the lead at the swimming pool", broadcasting the scene to his social media followers, "of which there are about two million", he said. Judge Leigh described this as "his own stupidity". Read more from Sky NewsDrag queen died after taking ketamineActress 'shell-shocked' at being told to 'bend over'Stalker who 'terrified' Cheryl jailed As part of the original sentence, Fincham was ordered to pay £3,680, including £2,000 in kennelling costs, a fine of £961, and £200 in compensation to Mr Sudell. His lawyer said he had made "remarkable progress" since his last court appearance, "returning to a nine-to-five job" and boxing. The judge warned him to be "very careful now".

A Home Office source has told political correspondent Amanda Akass that the government is in the "very early stages" of discussions around the idea, and is keen to learn about what Italy has been doing in Albania. The right-wing Italian government has built two facilities in the Balkan country aiming to hold migrants there while processing their asylum requests. Government sources told The Times newspaper that UK ministers are planning to approach countries in the western Balkans including Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia. Analysis: 'Migrant hub' plan will send alarm bells clanging It comes as a number of migrants were pictured arriving in Dover, Kent, on Saturday. On Friday, 246 people made the perilous journey across the Channel from France in five boats - bringing the provisional total for the year so far to 5,271. On Thursday, 341 people crossed in six boats. This is the earliest point in the year that crossings have reached the 5,000 mark since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018. Labour's strategy is expected to differ substantially from the previous Tory government's Rwanda plan, which aimed to deport all migrants who arrived in the UK illegally, regardless of whether or not their asylum claims would be successful. The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that Rwanda was considered an "unsafe" country. Amanda Akass said the Home Office source "won't say which countries are being considered because they don't want to pre-empt any discussions which haven't even officially begun yet". "But I am told that the government is closely looking at the example of Italy, which has a treaty with Albania and has built two detention centres in Albania to house asylum seekers while their claims are being processed there." Akass noted there have been legal challenges to that deal, adding: "But it looks like the government are watching that to see what the outcome may be." Read more from Sky News:Inside Italy's 'Guantanamo'Why are more people crossing the Channel on the weekend? Meanwhile, the European Union last week announced that it was proposing to allow member states to set up return hubs. The plan has been endorsed by the UN's International Organisation for Migration, which offered to "advise and assist states in the design and operationalisation of innovative return policy that is both effective and in line with European and international law". 👉 Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app 👈 The UK signed a "road-map" agreement with France earlier this month aimed at bolstering co-operation to tackle people smuggling across the Channel. The government's new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill also continues through parliament with plans to introduce new criminal offences and hand counter terror-style powers to police and enforcement agencies to crack down on people smuggling gangs. Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, said: "This is Labour admitting they made a catastrophic mistake in cancelling the Rwanda scheme before it even started. "But the tragedy is it will take some time before this can be done and, in the meantime, tens of thousands of illegal migrants will have poured into the country, costing UK taxpayers billions and making a mockery of our border security. "The fact they are now looking at offshore processing shows they were wrong to cancel Rwanda before it even started and shows their attempts to 'smash the gangs' have failed. "In fact, illegal immigrants crossing the channel are up 28% since the election and this year has been the worst ever. Labour has lost control of our borders. They should urgently start the Rwanda removals scheme." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the number of people crossing the Channel was "really worrying". He said: "I'm actually glad that the government scrapped the Rwanda scheme because it wasn't working as a deterrent. "In fact, hardly anybody went, and it was costing huge amounts of money. If they've got a better scheme that will work, we'll look at that. "But they've also got to do quite a few other things. There's too many hotels that are being used because people aren't being processed quickly enough, and Liberal Democrats have argued for a long time that if you process people, you give them the right to work so they can actually contribute. "That's the way you could save a lot of money, and I think taxpayers would support that." The government has been contacted for further comment.

Littler came up with perfection in the fourth leg of the final against Michael van Gerwen, with hitting two 180s then T20, T17 and D15 to send the already wild Cardiff crowd into a frenzy. The reigning world champion then went onto wrap up the match in a 6-4 win to claim his third nightly win of the Premier League in 2025, adding to victories on Night Two in Glasgow and Night Five in Brighton. Premier League Darts Night Seven - as it happened!Premier League darts 2025: Schedule, format, venues, playersDarts in 2025: Key dates for Premier League and moreNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW 📺 It is the third nine-dart of the 2025 Premier League after both Luke Humphries and Rob Cross hit nine-dart legs in Brighton. While Littler seems to only be getting better and better in the Premier League, with the 18-year-old now six points clear at the top of the table, he claims that he does not need much preparation to hit his best. "I have been playing very well," Littler told Sky Sports. "I have not picked my darts up since last Thursday - I had a week off to chill. But to come here and win and be six points clear, I am comfortable. "All players have to have a rest and after the performance tonight, I will have another week off! "I just want to get to the O2 [for May's play-offs] as quick as possible. "I have put myself in a really good position and I do want to finish No 1. Last year I didn't want No 1, this year I want to try and stay there. I was happy with my doubles tonight but there is plenty more to come." For Sky Sports Darts' Laura Turner, it was "scary" to hear that Littler is reaching such heights with a lack of practice and just goes to show how many more gears he will have as his career continues on its astronomical trajectory. "It is scary to hear that Littler still has more levels to reach. He looks so relaxed, was laughing in places, had a giggle with the crowd," Turner said. "He is going to take some stopping, not just in the Premier League but in all tournaments. "As for Van Gerwen, he stuck in the match and almost timed it perfectly. He should take a lot from making this final. He showed why he is a champion." Where does the Premier League head next? The Premier League continues on Thursday March 27 from the Utilita Arena in Newcastle and you can watch it, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 7pm - stream with NOW. Sky Sports will once again be the home of the Premier League in 2025, with every night exclusively live along with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and more! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW

The two-time champion fought Muhammad Ali in one of the sport's most legendary fights, the 'Rumble in the Jungle', in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then known as Zaire. Foreman was also known for putting his name to a popular range of electric grills. A statement on his Instagram account said he died peacefully on Friday "surrounded by loved ones" after an "extraordinary life". His family said "our hearts are broken". They called him "a devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather" - and said he lived with "unwavering faith, humility, and purpose". President Donald Trump posted a tribute on X, saying he had known the sportsman well. He wrote: "George Foreman is dead. What a GREAT FIGHTER!!! He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing. With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really Special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life." Speaking to Sky News's Sam Washington, former heavyweight world champion David Haye called Foreman "one of the greatest to ever do it". Praising his "perseverance" as a fighter, the British star said Foreman did "the unthinkable" becoming the oldest champion in history in 1994, two decades after his famous Rumble in the Jungle with Muhammad Ali. Calling him a "magnificent human being both inside and outside the ring", Haye praised Foreman's "thunderous right and left uppercuts", adding: "I would not have wanted to be behind one of George Foreman's punches". Mike Tyson said on X that his "contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten". Sharing a photo of Foreman in his youth alongside a similar image in his later years, another boxer, Chris Eubank Jr, wrote: "Rest in Peace to one of my boxing heroes - The Legendary George Foreman." Former NBA basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson called Foreman one of his "boxing heroes", going on to call him "a knockout artist in the ring," and that "it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man". Mentioning the product now so associated with his name, Johnson went on: "After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman - I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time." Foreman was considered virtually unbeatable in the famous 1974 fight in DR Congo. Ali, then 32, was trying to return to the top against his fearsome, undefeated opponent - just 25 at the time. Despite being a huge underdog, Ali's 'rope-a-dope' tactics of soaking up Foreman's attacks wore out the brutal puncher and he regained the title. Read more: Analysis - How Foreman became a cultural icon Believed to be one of the most-watched sports events ever, a documentary about the fight, When We Were Kings, won an Oscar in 1996. Foreman was devastated by the loss, but 20 years later staged his own miraculous comeback - knocking out Michael Moorer to become the oldest-ever heavyweight champion at the age of 45. Outside the ring, his transformation from a brooding boxer to a jovial, TV-friendly personality helped make him a fortune with his range of grills in the 1990s. The boxer known to fans as 'Big George' was born in Marshall, Texas, on 10 January 1949. He and his six siblings were raised by a single mother. Foreman dropped out of school and got mixed up in street robberies, but left Texas at 16 and was encouraged to direct his energy into boxing. Just three years later, in his 25th amateur bout, he won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Foreman turned pro and reeled off 37 wins before demolishing the undefeated Joe Frazier in two rounds to become heavyweight champion for the first time in 1973. Crushed by his shock loss to Ali a few fights later, he took a year off before stepping inside the ring again. But after a second career defeat in 1977 - and what he described as a near-death experience in the dressing room - he stopped fighting. He became a born-again Christian and ordained minister. However, 'Big George' was back inside the ropes a decade later. Trimming down his physique along the way, he won 24 fights in a row before losing on points to Evander Holyfield in 1991. Foreman wasn't done though - and his long road back was finally complete in Las Vegas three years later. Wearing the same red shorts from the Ali fight and behind on the scorecards, he knocked out Michael Moorer, 19 years his junior, to win the IBF and WBA titles. Read more from Sky News:Trump announces 'most lethal aircraft ever'Israel says Hamas intelligence chief 'eliminated' Foreman's 20-year gap between world titles was a record - and he retired for good in 1997 with a record of 76 wins and five losses. He was married five times and had five sons - all called George - and seven daughters.

Comedian, model and content creator Fats Timbo, who has spoken about being bullied as a child, told Sky News she believes Disney has missed a golden opportunity to educate children in what is likely to be their first encounter with someone with dwarfism. Timbo, who has dedicated her activism to raising the profile of people of short stature, has achondroplasia, a genetic condition that inhibits growth and affects around one in 27,500 people. Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, who has the same condition, previously criticised the film, telling the WTF With Marc Maron podcast: "It makes no sense to me. You're progressive in one way, but then you're still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarves living in a cave together?" Following the remarks, Disney said it consulted with members of the dwarfism community to "avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film". It was the 1937 classic that established Disney's name as an industry leader. But the remake has been beset by controversy. Early on it was labelled "woke" due to its casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian-Polish descent, in the lead role. Zegler also faced backlash after suggesting the early version of the film had content that was unsuitable for the 21st century - namely the fact the prince "literally stalks" Snow White. There was then speculation as to whether Zegler and Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the evil queen, got on as they have previously expressed very different views over the Gaza war. Not dwarves but 'animated magical creatures' Now the erasing of the dwarves - first from the title, then from the film, at least in human form - is proving highly divisive. Disney used computer-generated images (CGI) to create what they called "animated magical creatures" rather than using little people in the roles. Timbo tells Sky News: "Our representation is already small as it is - no pun intended. It's already limited. To erase that and use CGI, like we're mythical creatures or people that could be made on computers, it's disregarding us in general." She goes on: "Let's say kids have never seen somebody that has my condition and they've seen a CGI version of me. It's going to be a bit baffling to children. It could have been a real educational piece to have actors that have the condition and give them the role they deserve." Timbo says lack of visibility for small people has real-world consequences. "I used to get made fun of all the time. [Kids would be] saying 'You're one of the dwarves from Snow White,' that kind of thing. I think now when somebody sees a little person, they're not going to believe it's real. They're going to see that CGI version on Snow White instead of seeing a real little person that has real character with real depth." 'Snow White And The Little People' Timbo says other children's films were also used to taunt her, including Charlie And The Chocolate Factory: "The Oompa Loompas - I got called that all the time." In the Snow White remake, Martin Klebba voices CGI Grumpy, while George Appleby has a physical character, playing one of a band of seven robbers - both actors are little people. But the decision not to use people of small stature to play all seven dwarves on-screen has left many scratching their heads. And it's not the first time small people have been edited out of movies. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory's 2023 re-make, Wonka, used special effects to shrink down Hugh Grant to play an Oompa Loompa, while 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman replaced its dwarves with able-bodied actors Ian McShane, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost. Not a fan of the term dwarfism, Timbo says she thinks Disney would also have done well to tackle the title differently, too: "If they had put a different spin on it where it was Snow White And The Little People, that would have sounded great." She says that in an attempt to avoid controversy, Disney chose "the safe option" of simply cutting the physical roles completely, and letting CGI fill the void. It's a decision Timbo calls "upsetting," due to the fact it "reaffirms the negative stereotypes of little people not being actual people". Disney's poisoned apple Timbo's 2023 book Main Character Energy, about living fearlessly in the face of adversity, seems like it could be a good read for the bosses of Disney right now, as they face growing criticism over the decision. With a muted release (no Leicester Square premiere, and a limited LA debut) it's been a less-than-fairytale opening for a movie which had been intended to rival the success of 2017 remake Beauty And The Beast. Many might say it has turned into something of a poisoned apple. Proving controversial and polarising, the response couldn't be more removed from Disney's brand proposition if it tried. Early reviews are so far mixed. Timbo says she will give the movie a shot: "I want to see if it lives up to the hype or the bad press." Box office figures and audience ratings will soon deliver a verdict, and Timbo remains generous despite reservations: "I want it to surprise me, I want to enjoy it… I hope it does do well. But obviously, I think Disney could have done things a bit differently." Sky News has contacted Disney for comment. Snow White is in cinemas now.

Sir Keir Starmer was talking on Thursday as he visited a UK base to meet a group of senior military officers from more than 30 nations tasked with turning a political desire to support Kyiv into an actionable plan to help protect the country from land, sea and air in the event of a ceasefire. But, with Donald Trump pushing hard for Russia and Ukraine to stop fighting now, there are concerns among analysts that the "coalition of the willing" - led by the UK and France - will be overtaken by events, with peace declared before it has time to get its act together. In a sign of the challenge, the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa was struck on Thursday night by what its governor described as a "massive" Russian drone attack even as the US president talked up the prospects for peace. US negotiators are set to meet separately with Ukrainian and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday to try to make progress on a ceasefire. Mr Trump also claimed he was on the brink of signing an economic deal with Ukraine - something that has been trailed for weeks as a key step in strengthening US-Ukraine relations and locking in Washington's support for Kyiv's future, but has yet to materialise. Ukraine war latest: Follow live updates Clearly alive to the urgency to act, Sir Keir greeted the group of visiting military planners at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, on the edge of London. They gathered around a large map of Ukraine spread out across a table. "Now is the time to be doing this," the prime minister told the officers from a range of European and other allied countries, including Turkey, the Netherlands and Canada. Ukrainian officers were also present as well as NATO officials. "We don't know what the outcome of any [peace] talks is going to be, but we do know that if there is a deal, it's important to have done the preparation beforehand." The size and shape of what Western officials have described as a "reassurance force" for Ukraine are unclear - so too what kind of military headquarters would command it. Initial briefings on the concept suggested it could involve thousands of troops deployed to cities and to protect critical infrastructure such as nuclear power stations, but kept back from frontline areas, while Royal Air Force warplanes and other countries' jets would protect Ukraine's skies, and various navies, including the Royal Navy, would help secure the sea. Yet, without US support, the European offer, even with backing from other aligned nations such as Canada, would not act as much of a deterrence to Russia. And that is if the coalition is ready to deploy in time for any ceasefire. Read more:Does Trump have any red lines?The 'coalition of the willing' that could secure peace in Ukraine The British prime minister said peace would only endure if "it is a defended deal". He offered a sense of what the military planners have been tasked with delivering after the political leaders of all the countries involved agreed to work together to help Ukraine. "What's happening here is turning that political intention into reality - the concept into plans, whether that's in relation to what might happen at sea or air or defending borders," Sir Keir said. "But it is vitally important we do that work because we know one thing for certain, which is a deal without anything behind it is something that Putin will breach. "We know that because it's happened before. And I'm absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again."

New England head coach Thomas Tuchel took charge of his first game against Albania on Friday, when debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly justified his selection with the opening goal and a man-of-the-match display. All-time top scorer Harry Kane completed a 2-0 victory as the road to next summer's World Cup got off to a winning start that England look set to continue when Latvia, ranked 140th in the world, head to Wembley on Monday. However, Merson thinks England need to try and implement new tactics to have any chance of lifting the World Cup in 2026. Pressing, dream debuts, wasteful wingers - a first look at Tuchel's EnglandTuchel praises 'amazing' Lewis-Skelly - but challenges Rashford and Foden "Tuchel has said he wants to play the Premier League way," Merson told Soccer Saturday. "He wants to press and play with a high tempo. "The problem is we are going to play at a World Cup in a country where it is going to be hot. The humidity will be unbearable in some of the places they play. "I would have gone the other way. He has seen England play enough times and he will know we don't keep the ball well enough. "We need to start keeping the ball better and being patient. "The Wembley crowd need to get onside a bit more too," he added. "The fans may need a slight re-think too. They are coming down to Wembley wanting to see action. They don't want to see control and a 1-0 win. They are getting action watching their teams play in the Premier League. That is why we love it so much because there can be a corner at one end, and a shot 30 seconds later at the other end. "But England need to start changing the way they play. They need to be patient and keep the ball. "I've been there. The team knock the ball around at the back and the crowd go mad. They want the ball forward and quickly, and then the players panic and give it away. "We have to be more patient. If we aren't patient and we don't have the ball, we have no chance at the World Cup. "We didn't keep the ball at the Euros and in the end we were punished. We have to do that better." England 2-0 Albania - Match report | Teams | Match statsWorld Cup 2026 European qualifying: Fixtures and full scheduleGet Sky Sports on WhatsApp | Download the Sky Sports app 'Lewis-Skelly can go on to get 90 England caps' Tuchel praised "amazing" history-making debutant Lewis-Skelly, with the left-back becoming the nation's youngest-ever goalscoring debutant at the age of 18 years and 176 days. Lewis-Skelly met a beautiful, defence-splitting Jude Bellingham pass with a smart finish to set England on their way, and Merson was full of praise for the Arsenal defender's performance. Merson said: "It's very hard to explain what Myles-Lewis Skelly is doing at this age." "To play at the top level at 18 at Arsenal, where you are playing under severe pressure every week, this lad has confidence. At Arsenal, you have to win every week and he's coping with that pressure. "He's unbelievable. Remember, at academy level he was playing centre midfield. Now he has moved to left-back and not really broken a sweat. "The thing that made his goal was the run off the ball. He's willing to run without the ball. For an 18-year-old to be doing that at international level, that is what is unbelievable. It's not the finish, but when he's seeing the space to run into, when he's seeing the picture of Jude Bellingham having the ball, ready to pass. Making the run, that's what is clever from Lewis-Skelly. "It's top, top drawer. He's a player you can see playing for England, 70, 80, 90 times." 'Foden and Rashford won't get too many more chances' Despite the win over Albania, Tuchel has plenty to ponder after a winning start that left him wanting more, with the head coach mentioning a variety of kinks that need ironing out. England's wingers were among those issues given Marcus Rashford, who made his first international appearance since last March, and Phil Foden were not as "impactful" as the new coach wanted. The latter is an ongoing conundrum given the talented 44-cap forward has rarely - as the player has previously admitted himself - taken his Manchester City form to the international stage as he stretched his run without a goal involvement for England to 17 games. Merson believes both Foden and Rashford won't have too much longer to impress Tuchel. He said: "With what Tuchel said about Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, I don't think they'll have too many more chances. "They'll probably play in the next game and he'll be thinking he's had a bit of a go at them, and he'll want to see how they respond. "If they don't perform against Latvia, he'll say see you later. But it's not easy playing for England against teams that put 10 players behind the ball. You are better off playing against France where you'd be a better player. "Everywhere Tuchel has been, he's not been there very long. He goes in and he's not worried about upsetting people. "By the time everyone has had enough of him, he's gone. "That's what England need but it's not going to be easy. I still think down the line we will be thinking what an unbelievable job Gareth Southgate did with England."