Pope Francis Still Critical, Vatican Holds Prayers In St. Peter's Square

JAKARTA - Pope Francis was still in critical condition as he struggled with double pneumonia and a mild kidney failure attack, but he remained conscious.

The 88-year-old whale spent his eleventh day at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, equivalent to the longest hospitalization period for nearly 12 years of his papal period.

A Vatican official, who did not want to be named, said Pope Francis ate normally and was able to wake up and move in his hospital room.

On Sunday, the Vatican described the Pope's condition as in critical condition for a second day and said blood tests showed "initial inequality" in his kidney function, which they said was still under control.

The whale received a blood transfusion on Saturday after experiencing respiratory crisis such as prolonged asthma and its prognosis remains 'preserved', according to recent medical developments on Sunday night.

"It was a good night, the Pope slept and rested," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a sentence Monday morning that did not provide further information.

More information about the Pope's condition is expected to be delivered on Monday evening.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and injure both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican described the infection the Pope was experiencing as a "complex" disease and said the disease was caused by two or more microorganisms.

Pope Francis, who has been a Pope since 2013, has suffered from severe illness over the past two years. He was very susceptible to lung infection because he had chest membrane inflammation as a young adult and one of his lungs was removed.

Medical updates on Sunday evening described the Pope as a aware and well-oriented patient'' and said he received high flow oxygen therapy' through a tube under his nose.

The whale experienced "light kidney inference in the early stages, which are currently under control," referring to the function of the kidney, which filters out waste products in the blood.

The Pope's prolonged illness has sparked unusual public speculation among Catholic cardinals, the highest church official of 1.4 billion people after the Pope.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who is unknown to Pope Francis, said during a homily at Mass in his cathedral on Sunday, the Pope "may almost die".

German Cardinal runny Muller, a former Vatican official who is known to disagree with Pope Francis on a doctrineal matter, rebuked bishops who publicly speculated on the condition of whales or planned conclaves, a secret meeting of cardinals to choose new whales.

He told Corriere della Sera in Italy the cardinals did not receive more information than the public about the Pope's condition.

"We are not medical experts," Muller said of cardinals.

"The Pope is still alive and this is a moment to pray," he said. "If anyone looks at the future when Francis is in the hospital, it's useless."

The Vatican plans to hold a prayer service for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Monday night. The service, which is the continuation of the first night prayers in the square, will be led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's second most senior official.

Outside Gemelli Hospital, many gathered on Monday to wish Pope Francis near the statue of the late Pope John Paul II, who was repeatedly treated at the facility during his papal period in 1978-2005.

Maria Vozlv, a Ukrainian citizen who has lived in Rome for 18 years, said many in her home country prayed for Pope Francis.

The Pope often denounced the three-year war in Ukraine and prayed for peace.

"We Ukrainians really pray for him," Vozlv said. He has to recover and go home.