Pope Francis suffered an episode of bronchospasm — a tightening of the muscles in his lungs — on Friday afternoon. This caused him to vomit, some of which he inhaled, the Holy See Press Office announced in a statement.

The episode caused “a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition,” said the statement. “The Holy Father was promptly subjected to bronchial aspiration (to clear his airways) and was put on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which improved his oxygen levels.”

Pope Francis, who is 88, was taken to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on February 14, suffering from a respiratory tract infection. After a chest CT scan, his doctors confirmed on February 18 that he had developed bilateral pneumonia. He has remained in hospital since, during which time he has suffered respiratory crises and mild kidney insufficiency. 

Over the week leading up to Friday’s episode, his condition had been stable, with some improvement, but the Holy See has been emphatic that his condition remains complex.

At sites across Buenos Aires, Catholics have gathered to pray and hold masses for Francis. 

“In a world suffocated by wars, Francis [has been] a breath of oxygen,” said Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuervo during a mass for the pope in Plaza Constitución on Monday. He described the pontiff as “a man who called for universal fraternity.”

Despite his ill health, the pope was able to call the parish priest of Gaza on Monday. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited him in hospital days after he was admitted.