Rome, Feb. 24 -- Pope Francis, who is battling double pneumonia, remains in a critical condition for a second day and has shown an "initial, slight insufficiency" in his kidney function, the Vatican said yesterday.

The prognosis for the 88-year-old Pope, who required a transfusion of two units of blood on Saturday after experiencing a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis," remains "guarded", according to the latest medical update.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14. The Vatican first described his condition as critical on Saturday. "The condition of the Holy Father remains critical; however, since last night he has not experienced further respiratory crises," the Vatican said on Sunday.

Published by HT...