Despite feeling more fatigued, Pope Francis spent Saturday seated in an armchair, following necessary blood transfusions with a guarded prognosis. On Saturday evening, the Holy See Press Office released an update on Pope Francis's health:

The Holy Father's condition remains critical. He is still not out of danger, as explained in the previous update. This morning, Pope Francis experienced a severe, asthma-like respiratory crisis that required high-flow oxygen. Today's blood tests showed thrombocytopenia, linked to anemia, necessitating blood transfusions. Although more fatigued than yesterday, Pope Francis stayed alert and spent the day in an armchair. The prognosis continues to be guarded.

The Vatican reported that Pope Francis's condition remains critical after a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis" earlier on Saturday. He is "more unwell than yesterday" and required blood transfusions. The 88-year-old pontiff, receiving treatment for pneumonia in both lungs at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, needed high-flow oxygen due to his respiratory issues.

The blood transfusions were needed because of a low platelet count associated with anemia. "The Holy Father's condition remains critical," stated the Vatican. "The Pope is not out of danger." "The Holy Father remained alert and spent the day in an armchair, even though he felt more fatigued than yesterday," the statement continued.

Pope Francis has requested transparency about his health, so the Vatican has begun issuing daily updates. These statements have varied in tone and length, sometimes causing observers to read between the lines. However, the latest assessment is the starkest and most detailed to date, without providing a prognosis. Just a day ago, the Pope's doctors said he was responding to medication, though his condition remained complex. They cautioned that any slight change could disrupt the "delicate balance."

"He is the Pope," as one doctor remarked, "but he is also a man." Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days. He is particularly susceptible to lung infections, having developed pleurisy (inflammation around the lungs) as an adult and having had part of one lung removed at age 21. During his 12-year leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, the Argentine Pope has been hospitalized several times, including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in the hospital with bronchitis. The latest news has concerned Catholics worldwide who are closely following the Pope's condition.

This Jubilee year is significant for the Catholic Church, with many visitors expected in Rome and a busy schedule of events for the Pope. He is not known for enjoying inactivity. Even in the hospital, his doctors say he went to pray in the chapel this week and has been reading in his chair. Before the recent setback, the Vatican had already announced that Pope Francis would not appear in public to lead prayers with pilgrims on Sunday, marking the second week in a row he would miss the event.

Supporters have been leaving candles, flowers, and letters for the Pope outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital all week. However, there was no crowd gathering outside St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday evening. Nonetheless, passersby in the square expressed their concern. "We feel very close to the Pope here in Rome," one Italian man told the BBC. "We saw the latest updates, and we are worried."