ROME and LONDON -- Pope Francis is "resting" on Monday morning after spending his 10th night in the hospital, the Vatican press office said. "The night passed well, the Pope slept and is resting," the office said in a short statement.

The Vatican described his condition as critical for the first time on Saturday, reporting that the 88-year-old Francis needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions after a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.

Pope Francis was resting Monday morning after a quiet night, on the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney failure, the Vatican said.