Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia, remains in critical condition for the fourth day running but is stable and has not had any further respiratory crises, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis's condition is not currently critical, a Vatican source said Friday, after a series of clinical improvements for the 88-year-old pontiff suffering from pneumonia in both lungs. A Vatican source said Friday that the "criticality has passed,

Francis remains in critical condition but has not suffered any additional crises, the Vatican said Sunday evening, after reporting Saturday the pope suffered a “long asthmatic respiratory crisis” days after he was hospitalized for pneumonia.

Pope Francis, in critical condition battling double pneumonia, had a quiet night in hospital and is resting, the Vatican said on Wednesday. The 88-year-old pope is spending his 13th day at Rome's Gemelli hospital,

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

The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” and low platelets, the Vatican said, but was alert and sitting in an armchair.

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

Pope Francis, in hospital fighting double pneumonia, rested well overnight, the Vatican said on Monday. The Vatican said on Sunday evening that the 88-year-old pontiff's condition was stable, and he no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe.