VATICAN CITY >> Doctors have changed treatment for Pope Francis’ respiratory tract infection to tackle a “complex clinical situation” and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary, the Vatican said today.

After spending nearly a week in the hospital, the Vatican now says Pope Francis is in critical condition. "It's up to God to take him or have him continue doing a good job," one Rhode Islander said. It was another day of Holy Year celebrations,

Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis experienced “an asthmatic respiratory crisis of prolonged magnitude, which also required the use of oxygen at high flows” Feb.

By Christopher Lamb, Antonia Mortensen and Rob Picheta, CNN Vatican City (CNN) — Pope Francis was being treated in a hospital in Rome for bronchitis and to have medical examinations, the Vatican said Friday,

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Doctors have had to change treatment for Pope Francis' respiratory tract infection to tackle a "complex clinical situation" and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary,

From left, Hong Kong's Bishop Emeritus, Cardinal Joseph Zen, Pope's Vicar General for the Vatican City, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, and Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, Cardinal Amèrico Aguiar, take part in

The Vatican described his condition as critical for the first time on Saturday, reporting that the 88-year-old Francis needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions after a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.

On February 24, prayers for Pope Francis continued at Gemelli Hospital, where the Holy Father remains hospitalized. In the St. John Paul II Chapel, Adoration was led by the chaplain at noon, followed by Holy Mass. Let's continue to pray for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/ZCZm5mskYg

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement and resumed some work activities

The announcement on Saturday evening indicated that Francis’ medical condition had become more complicated since an update from his doctors on Friday.

The Vatican said Francis, who was diagnosed with double pneumonia, suffered a breathing crisis and needed blood transfusions.