Feb. 24 (UPI) — Pope Francis slept comfortably without additional complications but remained in critical condition with kidney and respiratory issues, the Vatican said Monday morning.
Francis continued to receive high-flow oxygen therapy after receiving blood transfusions on Sunday.
“The night went well; the pope slept and is resting,” the Vatican said in a statement. “The thrombocytopenia remains stable; however, some blood tests show early, mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control. High-flow oxygen therapy continues through nasal cannulas.”
Francis entered Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14, after difficulties breathing and being treated for bronchitis. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
He still managed to take part in mass with those taking care of him. The pope issued a statement asking fellow Catholics to pray for him.
The Argentine native and the first Jesuit to be named pope has been hospitalized numerous times during his 12-year run as leader of the Catholic Church. He is susceptible to pneumonia because he contracted pleurisy in his 20s and had part of his lung removed.
Francis, 88, had reportedly remained in good spirits at various times during his stay and has not been on any life support machine away from oxygen, officials said.
