Pope Francis in critical condition, Vatican says

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

The 88-year-old Francis, who has spent more than a week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed a condition associated with anaemia, the Vatican said in a late update.

“The Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair, although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment the prognosis is reserved,” the statement added.

The Vatican carried on with its Holy Year celebrations without the pope on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, the Vatican said Francis slept well overnight. "The Pope has rested well," it said in a statement on the pontiff's health condition.

But on Friday, Professor Sergio Alfieri, who is part of the Pope's medical team, warned that he is "not out of danger" and will remain in hospital for at least another week.

"The Pope has always wanted us to tell the truth," Alfieri told reporters at the entrance to Gemelli Hospital.

"The chronic illness remains, the Pope knows this, he said 'I realise that the situation is serious'," Alfieri explained and then added: "Sometimes he catches his breath, and the feeling is not pleasant for anyone."

The Vatican said in a statement on Saturday that Pope Francis would not lead Sunday prayers again this weekend, the second week in a row he has to cancel his personal appearance.

Parolin denies resignation rumours

Meanwhile, as Pope Francis' health situation becomes increasingly worrying, rumours of his imminent resignation have grown louder.

"They all seem to me to be useless speculation. Now we are thinking about the Holy Father's health, his recovery, his return to the Vatican: these are the only things that matter," Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, said in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

"Thank God, the news coming from Gemelli is encouraging; he is recovering. He has been sent paperwork, and this means that he is proceeding well," Parolin said.

The 88-year-old Francis has been dogged by bouts of ill health for years and, as a young man, had the upper lobe of his right lung removed.

But the Vatican says he remains in good spirits, eats breakfast every day, and has continued to work from his hospital room.

Francis became the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013.