Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia in hospital, suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday and required use of non-invasive, mechanical ventilation, the Vatican said. Francis has been in Rome's Gemelli hospital for more than two weeks.

The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in hospital fighting double pneumonia, rested well overnight, the Vatican said on Monday. The Vatican said on Sunday evening that the 88-year-old pontiff's condition was stable, and he no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe.