By Christopher White | Vatican Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure on March 3 and had to resume receiving oxygen through a ventilator as he continues his battle with double pneumonia.

“Today, the Holy Father presented two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” said a Vatican bulletin released at almost 7 p.m. local time on Monday.