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

Francis, 88, is in critical condition at a Rome hospital with a complex lung infection. The Vatican said he was "alert and spent the day in an armchair" on Saturday.

Pope Francis was conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen Sunday following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, as he remains in critical condition with a complex lung infection,