The head of the Catholic Church has been in hospital for over two weeks. The 88-year-old pontiff is battling to recover from double pneumonia.

Pope Francis has suffered two new breathing attacks, requiring two separate bronchoscopies, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff struggles to recover from pneumonia.

Pope Francis suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday, the Vatican said, a setback for the 88-year-old pontiff as he battles double pneumonia. Francis, who has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, is again receiving "non-invasive, mechanical ventilation" to help with his breathing. "Today, the Holy…

Pope Francis, 88, who has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14 due to double pneumonia, suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency", the Vatican said.

The development marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors

Pope Francis suffered two new breathing attacks on Monday, requiring two separate bronchoscopies, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff struggles to recover from pneumonia.