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Pope Francis was in critical condition after suffering a prolonged “respiratory crisis” while being treated for pneumonia and a lung infection, the Vatican said late Saturday.
The 88-year-old pope, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, received oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a statement.
“The pope is not out of danger,” the Vatican said. The pontiff on Saturday “experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen,” it said, adding that his condition “continues to be critical.”
Sunday morning, the Holy See said Pope Francis “had a peaceful ninth night in the hospital,” without giving more details.
Pope Francis, who had part of a lung removed as a young man, on Feb. 14 was admitted to a special ward in Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a respiratory infection. He has been forced to cancel public appearances.
The Vatican said that blood tests on Saturday “revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions.”
He “remains alert,” but “the prognosis remains guarded,” it said.
The Vatican said earlier Saturday that Pope Francis, who has been pope since 2013, would not appear in public on Sunday to lead prayer with pilgrims, the second consecutive week he will have missed the event.
