Pope Francis suffers two 'acute respiratory' episodes in new setback

VATICAN CITY, Italy

Pope Francis on Monday suffered two attacks of "acute respiratory insufficiency," the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff's health struggles continue.

Doctors performed two procedures known as a bronchoscopies to clear his air passages after the pope suffered a "significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm," according to the Vatican. A bronchospasm is akin to an asthma attack.

The pope was admitted to a Rome hospital on Feb. 14 with a severe respiratory infection and has been battling double pneumonia. The Vatican said Monday that the pope's prognosis remained "guarded," which means he is not out of danger.

"The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times," the Vatican said.

The setback came after the Holy See Press Office earlier Monday said the pope "slept well throughout the night." The office said he didn't need "non-invasive mechanical ventilation" to help him breathe, which he had used in recent days.

The twice-daily reports on the pope's health issued by the Vatican since his hospitalization last month continue to show slight improvement. The report released last Thursday evening local time said his clinical condition was "confirmed to be improving again today."

But it added that "due to the complexity of the clinical picture, further days of clinical stability are necessary before the (guarded) prognosis can be lifted."

Blood tests conducted last month also revealed the pope was suffering from mild kidney issues that described as under control.

Tests at the time also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the pope to receive blood transfusions. He received two units of concentrated red blood cells with "beneficial effects," the Vatican said.

Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.