The health of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for over a week with pneumonia, worsened on Saturday, raising fears that the pontiff might not survive his struggle with respiratory infections.

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis is in critical condition and his "prognosis remains guarded" as he experienced a respiratory crisis Saturday morning requiring oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Saturday night.