Pope Francis, hospitalised for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, spent a peaceful night after suffering a breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday, as Catholics prayed for his speedy recovery.

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital for two weeks, had an "isolated breathing crisis" on Friday and received "non-invasive mechanical ventilation" to help him breathe, the Vatican said in a statement.

The pope suffered an "isolated attack of bronchospasm" which caused vomiting with inhalation, the Vatican said on Friday.