VATICAN CITY, February 23. /TASS/. Although Pope Francis' condition continues to be critical, he is "alert and well-oriented, the press service of the Holy See said.
"The condition of the Holy Father remains critical, but since yesterday evening, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises. He received two units of concentrated red blood cells with beneficial effects, and his hemoglobin levels have risen," it said. "The thrombocytopenia remains stable; however, some blood tests show early, mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control. High-flow oxygen therapy continues through nasal cannulas."
"The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented," it said, adding that this morning he participated in the holy mass long with those who are taking care of him.
On Saturday, the pontiff had "a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis.
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14. He had been suffering from bronchitis for three weeks prior to the hospitalization, but had not canceled scheduled events and audiences, although some were held at his personal residence, the St. Martha's House on Vatican grounds. Francis, who had the upper lobe of one of his lungs removed as a young man, suffers from serious bronchitis every winter.