The pontiff is being treated in hospital for pneumonia and has been given high flows of oxygen and blood transfusion
Pope Francis is in a “critical” condition after suffering a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” on Saturday, the Vatican has said.
According to a statement, the Pope has received blood transfusions and high flows of oxygen and is “sufferring more than yesterday”.
The Vatican said the 88-year-old “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair” but required a “high flow” of oxygen and his prognosis “remains guarded”.
“The Holy Father’s condition remains critical,” the statement read. “The Pope is not out of danger.”
The Pope was first admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on 14 February after experiencing difficulty breathing and is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs and a complex respiratory infection.
The update on Saturday, which is drafted by Francis’ medical team but issued by the Vatican, marks the first time the Pope’s prognosis has been described as “reserved,” which suggests it is in flux and requires close observation.
Doctors have previously warned that the main threat facing Francis would be the onset of sepsis which can occur as a complication of pneumonia when some of the germs located in the respiratory system pass into the bloodstream.
“Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of,” Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli hospital, told a news conference on Friday.
“He knows he’s in danger,” Mr Alfieri added. “And he told us to relay that.”
The Vatican said he had received blood transfusions on Saturday after tests revealed a low platelet count, associated with anaemia.
Earlier on Saturday, the Vatican announced that the pontiff would not appear in public on Sunday to lead prayer with pilgrims, the second consecutive week he will have missed the event.
Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, developed pleurisy as a young man and had part of a lung removed as result, making him particularly prone to lung infections.
He has suffered a string of ailments in the past few years, including a lung inflammation which prevented him from attending COP28 in Dubai last November, abdominal surgery in June and treatment for bronchitis in March.