Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, remains in “critical” condition and developed an “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier on Saturday, the Vatican said in a statement.

ROME — Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition as he battles double pneumonia, requiring high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions. The Vatican confirmed that the 88-year-old pontiff suffered a prolonged respiratory crisis but is alert and stable.