Pope Francis remains in "critical" condition as he battles a prolonged asthmatic respiratory disorder requiring substantial oxygen support, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
"The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen," the Holy See said.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who was hospitalized last week with a complex lung infection, subsequently received blood transfusions after medical tests revealed a possible anemic condition, according to a later Vatican update.
"Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions. The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded," the statement read. Outside the hopsital, Catholic worshippers, including nuns, gathered on Saturday to pray for the leader of the church, whose official title is bishop of Rome.
Earlier, medical staff reported that Francis was combating pneumonia and a complex respiratory tract infection, which doctors indicate persists in his system. The condition is expected to extend his hospital stay "for at least another week."
The medical team cautioned that sepsis – a severe infection that can develop as a pneumonia complication – represents the primary threat to the Pope's health. However, as of Friday, no signs of sepsis were present, and Francis showed positive response to his prescribed medications, according to the Pope's medical team in their first comprehensive update on his condition.
