Pope Francis 's long-awaited visit to Argentina, his homeland, appears increasingly unlikely as he battles double pneumonia. The 88-year-old Pope's ongoing stay in Rome's Gemelli hospital, his longest as pontiff at over two weeks, has sparked concerns about his overall health and ability to travel in future.

Argentines have long waited for Pope Francis to visit the homeland he left in 2013 to become the head of the Roman Catholic Church. With his health delicate as he battles double pneumonia, the return seems increasingly unlikely now to happen.

When Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years it sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church. Now, after spending two weeks in hospital battling pneumonia, the speculation in the Vatican is whether his successor Pope Francis might do the same.