British News Agency

In a statement, the Vatican said that Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, remains in "critical" condition and suffered an "asthmatic respiratory crisis" early on Saturday.

The Vatican stated that the Pope, who is undergoing treatment for pneumonia, "experienced a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis this morning, requiring the administration of high-flow oxygen. Francis remains awake and is spending the day in a chair. He is suffering more than yesterday."

According to the statement, the Pope has also received a blood transfusion to treat anemia.

Earlier on Saturday, the Vatican announced that the Pope would remain in the hospital following his pneumonia diagnosis and would not lead the weekly Angelus prayer.