Pope Francis had 'isolated' breathing crisis in hospital, Vatican says

The statue of late Pope John Paul II stands outside the Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted for treatment, in Rome, Italy, February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital for two weeks, had an "isolated breathing crisis" on Friday and received "non-invasive mechanical ventilation" to help him breathe, the Vatican said in a statement.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer)