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 update to Francis’s condition came Sunday in the written text of his regular Angelus prayer after he had been listed as “critical” on Saturday.

Pope Francis, in critical condition with a complex lung infection, rested well during a peaceful night following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Sunday. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni's one-line statement early Sunday didn't mention if Francis was out of bed or eating breakfast.

The Vatican statement said the pope, who is being treated in hospital for double pneumonia, was alert, but added that the prognosis for him "remains guarded".