Prayers pour in as Pope Francis remains in critical condition, suffers early kidney failure

But he remains alert and “well-oriented”, and attended Mass, says Vatican as 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection

Rome: Pope Francis remained in critical condition on Sunday and blood tests showed early kidney failure, but he remains alert and “well-oriented,” and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

In a late update, the Vatican said Francis hadn’t had any more respiratory crises since Saturday night, but was still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen.

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Some blood tests showed “initial, mild, kidney failure,” but doctors said it was under control. The decreased platelet count, necessary for clotting, that was first detected on Saturday was stable.

“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for drug therapies to provide some feedback, dictate that the prognosis remains reserved,” the doctors concluded.