Pope Francis in Critical Condition After Suffering Health Crisis

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Pope Francis' health has taken a turn for the worse.

The 88-year-old experienced an "asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen," and his condition "continues to be critical," the Vatican said Feb. 22, more than a week after the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church was hospitalized.

"The pope is not out of danger," their statement added. "Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions. The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded."

The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital February 14 for a respiratory tract infection and was later diagnosed with double pneumonia.

The pontiff, who has been pope since 2013, is prone to respiratory infections. In 1957, he developed a severe infection in one lung and underwent surgery to remove part of it.

"He is not out of danger, so like all fragile patients, it is always a delicate balance," his general practitioner Dr. Luigi Carbone said at a press conference Feb. 21. "It would take very little for his condition to become unstable."

Meanwhile, the Vatican has canceled all of the pope's public engagements through Feb. 23 and no new ones have been scheduled.

His health crisis has raised public speculation of him resigning as leader of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has said this is unfounded.

"Right now, our focus is on the Holy Father’s health, his recovery, and his return to the Vatican," he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published Feb. 22. "These are the only things that matter."