Pope Francis in critical condition after long respiratory crisis

The Vatican reported Saturday Pope Francis was in critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis requiring oxygen.

The 88-year-old Francis, who has been hospitalized for a week with pneumonia and a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets – which are needed for clotting, associated with anemia – according to the Vatican in a statement.

The statement also reads, “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.”

Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened.

According to the Vatican, the pope remains conscious and has been able to sit upright.

Reports from Sunday said that the Pope was experiencing mild kidney failure which the Vatican says is “currently under control”.

For the second weekend in a row The Holy Year organizer celebrated Sunday’s Mass in Francis’s place.

Updated – with files from The Associated Press

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