Pope Francis has suffered a setback in his respiratory illness, and his condition has worsened to “critical,” the Vatican said Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
The 88-year-old Catholic leader has been hospitalized for more than a week, receiving treatment for pneumonia and a complex lung infection.
This is the first time that the Vatican and the pope’s medical team, who collaborated on the statement, have described his health condition as “critical.”
“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday (Friday), the Pope is not out of danger,” the statement read.
The statement suggested that the pontiff’s status remains in flux, saying that he “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved.”
Pope Francis’ health condition reportedly worsened when he was struck with an asthma attack that required treatment with oxygen flows and blood transfusions to balance his low platelet levels.
He was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after being ill for a week with bronchitis.
Over the past several years, the pope has dealt with a number of health challenges, including multiple falls, abdominal surgery, and bouts of influenza.
In his youth, Francis—then known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio—had a portion of his lung removed, leaving him susceptible to respiratory infections.
The head of medicine at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, said on Friday that the biggest threat to the pontiff is that infections in his lungs will pass into his bloodstream.
“Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of,” said Alfieri at a Friday press conference, according to the AP.
The outlet also reported that the Vatican has shot down rumors that the pope is planning to resign.
Although Francis is currently alert, there is no provision in the Catholic canon for what to do if a pontiff becomes incapacitated.
However, the pope said in 2013 that he had written a resignation letter that takes effect only if he is unable to carry out his duties.
