Pope Francis has 'sudden worsening' of respiratory condition, Vatican says

ROME -- Pope Francis suffered a "sudden worsening of his respiratory condition," aft an "isolated onslaught of bronchospasm" which caused vomiting with inhalation, the Vatican said connected Friday.

A bronchospasm is simply a coughing attack.

The pope underwent broncho aspiration and was enactment connected non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a bully effect successful presumption of state exchange, the Vatican said.

The pontiff, who has been hospitalized successful Rome since Feb. 14, remained alert and oriented portion receiving treatment, the Vatican said.

His prognosis "remains uncertain," the Vatican said.

Earlier Friday, the Vatican property bureau said the pope had a peaceful evening of remainder successful infirmary and is continuing his betterment successful the hospital.

"As successful caller days, the nighttime passed peacefully and the Pope is present resting," the Vatican said.

Officials said that Pope Francis' information continued to amended connected Thursday, with the pontiff alternating betwixt high-flow oxygen therapy and a ventimask, according to the Vatican.

"Given the complexity of his objective condition, further days of objective stableness are needed to clarify the prognosis," the Vatican said.

"For the 2nd time, determination is nary notation of a captious condition," Vatican sources told ABC News. "So we tin accidental that we person travel retired of the astir captious signifier and we are backmost to what was antecedently described arsenic a analyzable picture."

On Thursday, the pope dedicated the greeting to respiratory physiotherapy and rest. In the afternoon, helium gathered successful supplication successful the chapel of the backstage flat connected the 10th floor, receiving the Eucharist. The pope past dedicated himself to enactment activities, according to the Vatican.

"The bulletin again speaks of an improvement, a flimsy one, but an improvement, but the information that the prognosis is reserved means that the doctors inactive person concerns," Vatican sources told ABC News.

The pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, was diagnosed with pneumonia past week, according to the Vatican.