Pope Francis on Saturday suffered what his doctors described as a “prolonged respiratory crisis” and was required to undergo blood transfusions due to a low blood platelet count, with doctors saying his prognosis is currently “reserved.

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a week, is in critical condition after a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis," the Vatican said Saturday. The pope is "more unwell than yesterday,

The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” and low platelets, the Vatican said, but was alert and sitting in an armchair.