The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following a respiratory crisis that required blood transfusions.

Outside hospital in Rome where Pope Francis is in critical condition Live view from outside the Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the Vatican said Pope Francis was in critical condition on Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

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