Today's Edition
Vatican City (dpa)
Pope Francis' condition worsened on Saturday following a "prolonged asthma attack" that required the administration of oxygen and an anaemic condition requiring a blood transfusion, a Vatican spokesman and the Vatican News Service said.
"Pope at Gemelli Hospital, respiratory crisis in the morning," read the news service's headline from a dispatch sent on Saturday evening.
"The Holy Father's condition remains critical," the Holy See spokesman said.
Saturday's blood tests revealed a lack of thrombocytes, which are blood platelets needed for blood clotting. "The number of blood platelets had decreased in connection with anaemia," the papal news service wrote.
Anaemia is a deficiency of red blood cells or red blood pigment.
Francis, who is 88, was awake during the day and spent most of it in an armchair, albeit in more pain than on previous days, the spokesman said.
The pope has been hospitalized at the Rome hospital since Friday last week.
A few days ago, doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia, saying that the pontiff's clinical picture is complex.
Francis also suffers from a respiratory infection with various pathogens. He has been in poor health for a long time. Concern for him has been widespread worldwide since he was admitted to hospital.
On Friday, two attending physicians had already stated that Francis was receiving additional oxygen via a so-called nasal cannula if necessary. They also emphasized that the greatest danger for the pope now is that he could develop sepsis, a severe blood poisoning. That would be one of the most threatening complications. In the worst case, sepsis can lead to organ failure.
Pope Francis absent from Sunday prayers - again
The pontiff will not pray the traditional Angelus this Sunday for the second time since his hospitalization with pneumonia. Like last week, the text for the midday prayer will only be released for publication in writing, the Vatican said on Saturday.
Francis normally holds the prayer every Sunday at midday from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter's Square, where large crowds traditionally gather for the occasion.
During previous illnesses, Francis has also led the prayer from the balcony of his hospital room or via video link from his residence, the Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican.
