The 88-year-old pontiff suffered a “prolonged asthmatic crisis” and low platelets, the Vatican said, but was alert and sitting in an armchair.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition and “is not out of danger,” the Holy See Press Office announced Saturday evening in Rome. The 88-year-old pontiff “experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity” Saturday morning that required the administration of high-flow oxygen, according to the Vatican’s medical update.