Pope Francis in critical condition with early kidney failure but remains alert

A woman lays a rosary near candles adorned with pictures of Pope Francis outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic where Pope Francis is battling pneumonia, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

Pope Francis remained in critical condition on Sunday and blood tests show early kidney failure but he remains alert, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

In a late update, the Vatican said Francis had not had any more respiratory crises since Saturday night but was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen.