The Vatican said Friday that Pope Francis is on a breathing machine after suffering a sudden respiratory episode during his hospitalization. "The Holy Father, this afternoon, after a morning spent alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayer in the chapel,

The Vatican said the pope responded well to the treatment, with a good level of gas exchange, and remained conscious and alert at all times.

After experiencing progressive improvement the past few days, Pope Francis experienced “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” which led to coughing and “vomiting with inhalation,” which worsened his respiratory condition, the Vatican said.