Pope Francis, 88, remains in critical condition Tuesday after suffering a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis needing high-flow oxygen, the Vatican said Saturday.

The pontiff, who has struggled with the disease for his entire adult life, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago after his week-long fight with bronchitis. Initially showing signs of improvement earlier this week, it unfortunately deteriorated rapidly on Saturday morning prompting doctors to a receive oxygen and blood transfusion.
The Holy Father’s condition of health is still serious so, as was explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger, Vatican statement read. He is closely monitored by medical staff, although the prognosis was always “reserved.”
Pope Francis, who also contracted pneumonia in both lungs, is taking complicated course medication corticosteroids and antibiotics. Experts caution that his condition, on top of the need for a blood transfusion, increases the risk of blood infection, or sepsis, life-threatening immune response.
The health crisis notwithstanding, the Vatican announced that Francis remained awake and spent most of the day in an armchair, but suffering from more pain than the day before.
This health crisis comes at a time when the Vatican is still underway with its jubilee celebrations, a sacred Catholic tradition. Until the celebration is over, the shortfall of the Pope polarizes fiesta.
Du Pont of Quebec cites Cleveland News (Cleveland Sunday Plain Dealer, Oct 13, 1985),”‘Popie” Would Steal Jesus’ Video, Nobody Would Know”: Lawyer for Vatican II Came To Earth As Fifth Dimension.