Pope Francis remains critical and has a ‘slight’ kidney issue, the Vatican says…

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.The 88-year-old pope, who remains conscious, received โ€œhigh flowsโ€ of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a late update.
โ€œThe Holy Fatherโ€™s condition continues to be critical; therefore, as explained yesterday (Friday), the Pope is not out of danger,โ€ the statement said. It was the first time โ€œcriticalโ€ had been used in a written statement to describe Francisโ€™ condition since he was hospitalized on Feb. 14.The statement also said that the pontiff โ€œcontinues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday.โ€ Doctors declined to offer a prognosis, saying it was โ€œreserved.โ€ Doctors have said Francisโ€™ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility, and pre-existing lung disease.