CBCP asks public to continue praying for Pope Francis who is in critical condition

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday asked the public to continue praying for Pope Francis.

The pope remains in critical condition at Rome's Gemelli hospital where he has been confined since February 14.

"Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis. [prayer emoji]," the CBCP said in a Facebook post wherein it also shared the latest update on the Pope's health issued by the Holy See Press Office.

The Vatican's statement, issued on Saturday, February 22 at 7:07 p.m. (Rome time) is as follows:

"The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen.

Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions.

The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded."

On Wednesday, February 12, Pope Francis said he still has bronchitis and asked an aide to read for him his remarks for a weekly general audience at the Vatican. It was the second time in two weeks that he asked an aide to read prepared remarks for him.

He was hospitalized on Feb. 14 for tests and to continue treatment for bronchitis.

On Feb. 17, doctors said Pope Francis' respiratory tract infection turned out to be a "complex clinical situation" due to a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract." His treatment was thus changed.

The next day, Feb. 18 (Rome time), the Vatican said Pope Francis has shown the onset of double pneumonia.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and other leaders of the Catholic Church in the Philippines then urged the public to pray for the healing and recovery of Pope Francis.

The pope showed signs of improvement on Feb. 20.

However, the next day, Feb. 21, he is said to be "not out of danger."

Professor Sergio Alfieri of Rome's Gemelli hospital said "the real risk in these cases is that the germs pass into the blood", which could result in sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Vatican said Pope Francis' health deteriorated over the past 24 hours and said his condition is "critical". The pontiff needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions. —KG, GMA Integrated News