POPE FRANCIS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER HEALTH WORSENS, VATICAN SAYS

 The Vatican said on Saturday that Pope Francis’ health had deteriorated over the past 24 hours and for the first time described his condition as “critical,” reporting he had needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions.

In a statement, the Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis, who has double pneumonia, had suffered a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.”

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days.