Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering an asthmatic respiratory crisis that required doctors to administer oxygen, The Associated Press reported, citing the Vatican.
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Additionally, the pope received blood transfusions after tests showed he had a low platelet count, according to Reuters.
“The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved,” the Vatican said in a statement quoted by The Associated Press.
Vatican News reported that medical professionals say the pope is not “in danger of death,” but is not completely “out of danger” and will need to be hospitalized for “at least” all of next week. Physicians are worried about the threat of sepsis, a dangerous infection that can be fatal.
On Saturday, the Vatican held its Holy Year celebrations without Pope Francis. The Vatican also announced that he would not be making public appearances on Sunday, which he also did not make last week.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 after experiencing respiratory issues that were thought to be related to bronchitis at the time. Doctors later diagnosed him with double pneumonia.
Pope Francis has suffered from respiratory issues for many years. When he was 21, he had part of his lung removed after developing pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the membranes that cushion the lungs.
In his recently released autobiography, Pope Francis downplayed his health issues and chalked up his struggles to his age.
“The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” the pope wrote.
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