Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said.

With Pope Francis entering his fourth week in hospital, those working in the Apostolic Palace are grappling with the continuing uncertainty over the pope’s health. The same is true for everyone in the Vatican.

Francis remains in critical condition but has not suffered any additional crises, the Vatican said Sunday evening, after reporting Saturday the pope suffered a “long asthmatic respiratory crisis” days after he was hospitalized for pneumonia.

The Vatican’s evening bulletin on the latest health developments for the pope were more upbeat than in recent days.

The 88-year-old Francis, suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, hadn’t had any more respiratory crises, officials said.

The Vatican said Pope Francis remained in critical condition Monday but showed slight improvement in laboratory tests and resumed some work.

"The night was quiet, the pope was resting," the Holy See, the Vatican's press office, said in a brief statement on Sunday morning.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is showing a "good response" to his hospital treatment for double pneumonia and his overall condition is gradually improving, the Vatican said on Saturday. Francis, 88, has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than three weeks with a severe respiratory infection that has required continuously evolving treatment.

Francis has been critically ill with double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis since being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14. However, the worst seems to be oevr, as the 88-year-old is said to be in better condition than in February when he experienced another respiratory crisis and required a blood transfusion.

The Vatican has shared an update on Pope Francis' condition as he continues to be treated for pneumonia with the Pope showing 'gradual, slight improvement' in recent days