Vatican warns Pope Francis in critical condition

Candles are laid at the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is in hospital in Rome - (AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis remains in critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old Francis, who has been in hospital for a week with a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed a condition associated with anaemia, the Vatican said in a late update.