Pope Francis in Critical Condition Following Respiratory Crisis, Vatican Says

The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical; therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger,

the Vatican said in its regular early evening update

We are praying today for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and our hope is that he will recover well in the grace of God,

Brazilian priest Don Wellison told AFP

Is the pope out of danger? No, the pope is not out of danger, ... If you then ask whether he is in danger of dying at this moment, the answer is still no."

Alfieri said but added

Right now, we are focused on the Holy Father’s health, his recovery, and his return to the Vatican—these are the only things that matter,

the cardinal said

At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,

it said, as the head of the 88-year-old Catholic Church prepared to spend his ninth night in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he was diagnosed this week with double pneumonia

I don't see a pre-conclave environment, I don't see more conversations on a potential successor than there were a year ago,

he told Argentina's La Nacion daily

The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is more unwell than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded,

the Vatican wrote

He is not out of danger,

said Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal physician

This morning Pope Francis presented a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, which also required the application of high-flow oxygen,

the Vatican said on Saturday

I admire his grit. I admire his resilience. I’m praying with him. But I’m praying for him. But I think we have to be realistic as he certainly is."

Dolan added about the Pope

I literally tear up when we have to close them,

Dolan said when describing the increasing number of Catholic schools in New York City that are being shut down amid a funding and enrollment crisis

Look, we gotta be kind of realistic. When you get double pneumonia in anybody, you’re worried. I mean, if a child gets double pneumonia -- When you got double pneumonia in an 88 year-old-man, who has only got 75 percent of his lung capacity and is struggling with arthritis and a bunch of stuff, it’s not looking good."

He explained

Those are the schools that are thriving,

he said