Pope Francis, who is suffering from severe pneumonia, is now receiving almost constant supplemental oxygen, either through a breathing mask or tubes, according to people familiar with his situation.

 The 88-year-old wears a mask over his mouth and nose at night to provide mechanical ventilation, while during the day he’s usually given oxygen through a tube in his nose.

 Those around him emphasise that he is not artificially ventilated.

 According to the Holy See, the pope spent the previous night in hospital without new complications.

The head of the Catholic Church has now been in the Gemelli Hospital in western Rome for almost three weeks.

 At the hospital, Pope Francis has had at least four attacks of respiratory insufficiency, some of which were also accompanied by cramps and vomiting.

 As a result, he was given a mask for mechanical ventilation during the day as well.

 The Vatican initially gave no further information on the 88-year-old’s state of health.

 Doctors are refraining from making a prognosis about the course of his condition. (dpa/NAN)