Vatican City, February 24 (HS): Pope Francis' battling double pneumonia, remains in a critical condition for a second day running and has shown an initial, slight insufficiency in his kidney function, the Vatican said on Sunday.

The prognosis for the 88-year-old pope, who required a transfusion of two units of blood on Saturday after experiencing a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis, remains guarded, according to the latest medical update.

He attended the Holy Mass from an apartment set up on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital on Sunday morning.

The Vatican said in a statement issued on Sunday that the 88-year-old Pope is battling pneumonia in both his lungs. He was admitted to the hospital a week ago. He is being given oxygen continuously. The Vatican said that his condition is getting complicated day by day. Francis will remain in the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. Dr. Jaimin Brahmbhatt of Orlando Health Medical Group Urology has said that his condition is still very serious.

The jubilee celebrations on February 15 were canceled after Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14. The artists' meeting with Pope Francis scheduled for February 17 at Cinecitta was also cancelled. Pope Francis's real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar