Pope Francis is in “critical condition,” the Vatican said Saturday, after a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” and a low platelet count. They said he was alert and sitting in an armchair but suffering more pain than the day before.

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

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