Pope Francis in Critical Condition Following Respiratory Crisis, Vatican Says

People pray at the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized in Rome on February 22, 2025. Pope Francis passes another calm night in hospital, the Vatican said on February 21, 2025 in its morning update, as the 88-year-old spent his seventh day in hospital being treated for pneumonia. (Credit: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/Getty Images)

Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, the Vatican announced Saturday.

The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection, has received high flows of oxygen as well as blood transfusions due to anemia-related complications, the Associated Press reported.