**Pope Francis, Critically Ill, Spends Restful Night, Vatican Reports**

 Pope Francis, Critically Ill, Spends Restful Night, Vatican Reports

Pope Francis Spends Restful Night in Hospital Amid Pneumonia Treatment, Vatican Says

Pope Francis had a quiet and restful night at the Rome hospital where he remains in critical condition while receiving treatment for pneumonia and a complex infection, the Vatican reported Sunday.

“The night passed quietly, the pope rested,” the Vatican’s brief statement read, offering no further details as global concerns over the 88-year-old pontiff’s health continued to grow.

On Saturday, officials revealed that Francis had suffered a prolonged “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier in the day, requiring “high flows of oxygen.” He also underwent a blood transfusion but remained alert, according to the Vatican, which is coordinating updates with both hospital medical staff and the pope’s personal doctor.

Francis was admitted to Policlinico Agostino Gemelli on February 14 with a severe respiratory tract infection that progressed into pneumonia affecting both lungs. Doctors have emphasized that managing his treatment is particularly challenging due to his age and pre-existing lung condition.