Pope Francis is in critical condition and his "prognosis remains guarded" as he experienced a respiratory crisis Saturday morning requiring oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Saturday night.

The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” and low platelets, the Vatican said, but was alert and sitting in an armchair.

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old pope,

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a week, is in critical condition after a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis," the Vatican said Saturday. The pope is "more unwell than yesterday,

Pope Francis, who is being treated in hospital for double pneumonia, will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his usual prayer with pilgrims for a second consecutive week, the Vatican said. Francis is being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital,