Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, remains in “critical” condition and developed an “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier on Saturday, the Vatican said in a statement.

Pope Francis, in critical condition battling double pneumonia, had a "tranquil" night, was alert and had rested after a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said on Sunday. The pope

The 88-year-old’s critical condition was a setback for hopes that he might recover from his recent fight with bronchitis and pneumonia.