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

The pope had on Saturday suffered a prolonged respiratory attack and required blood transfusions, the Vatican said that evening, while adding that he was alert and sitting in a chair.

Pope Francis, who is battling double pneumonia in hospital, had a "tranquil" night and rested, the Vatican said on Sunday. The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days and subsequently had pneumonia diagnosed in both lungs.