Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition and blood tests show early kidney failure but he remains alert and “well-oriented.”

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

CNN By Antonia Mortensen, Christopher Lamb and Sharon Braithwaite, CNN Rome (CNN) — Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, remains in “critical” condition and developed an “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier on Saturday,

Pope Francis is responding “positively” to medical treatment for pneumonia, according to the Vatican, a week after the 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized in Rome.

Pope Francis, who is in critical condition with a complex lung infection, offered his thanks for the "many messages of affection" he has received since he was hospitalized earlier this month.