Francis suffered the two crises Monday. Doctors extracted “copious” amounts of mucus that had accumulated in his lungs, the Vatican said in a late update.

Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia in the hospital.

The Vatican says Pope Francis has remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation. It was a sign that his respiratory function was improving as he continues his