Pope Francis suffers ‘breathing crisis’ amid battle with pneumonia

The statue of late Pope John Paul II stands outside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted for treatment, in Rome, Italy [Hannah McKay/Reuters]

Pope Francis has suffered an “isolated breathing crisis” in hospital which caused him to vomit but he was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation and responded well, the Vatican said, as the pontiff continues to battle pneumonia.

The Vatican said on Friday the breathing crisis led to “an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.”