Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The press office for the Vatican said Sunday that Pope Francis was able to rest overnight but has suffered from some kidney failure as he recovers from double pneumonia.
"The night passed peacefully; the Pope rested," the Vatican said in its brief statement early Sunday morning.
Later in the day, the Vatican added that his condition remains critical but that he has not had any further respiratory crises since Saturday night.
"He has received two units of packed red blood cells with positive results and with a rise in the hemoglobin value," the Vatican said. "The thrombocytopenia has remained stable; however, some blood tests show initial, mild, renal insufficiency, which is currently under control."
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The pope continues on high-flow oxygen therapy and remains "alert and focused," even attending Mass from a room on the tenth floor of the hospital.
Late Saturday, officials said the pope had also required blood transfusions after blood tests revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia.
Though the pontiff remains in serious condition, Gemelli Hospital doctors said Friday his illness is not life-threatening.
"Is he out of danger? No," said Sergio Alfieri, his doctor, on Friday. "But if the question is 'is he in danger of death', the answer is 'no'."
Francis, 88, has reportedly remained in good spirits, sitting for periods of time in an armchair, and is not on any life support machines apart from oxygen during asthmatic episodes. He has now been hospitalized for over a week.
The biggest fear, doctors told reporters, is that the bacteria from his lung infections could enter his bloodstream and cause sepsis.
From his hospital bed, Pope Francis chose to have his Angelus address published Sunday in which he expressed gratitude to the doctors caring for him, according to Vatican News - the official state-run publication of the Holy See.
"As for me, I continue confidently with my stay at the Gemelli Polyclinic, receiving the necessary treatments," Francis said. "And rest is also part of the therapy!"
