Pope Francis' health still seems to be declining based on the most recent report from the Vatican, with the Holy See Press Office reporting that the Pontiff, 88, had "suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday.

“Today, the Holy Father suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm.

"Two bronchoscopies were therefore performed, with the need to remove large secretions.

"In the afternoon, non-invasive mechanical ventilation was resumed. The Holy Father remained alert, oriented and cooperative at all times.

"The prognosis remains guarded.”

The Holy See also revealed that blood tests showed the pope was no longer suffering from a high white blood cell count, his clinical condition remains "complex," and future episodes like today's are possible.

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Colm Flynn, the Vatican correspondent for Catholic cable network EWTN, offered a few more details in a report Monday evening from St. Peter's Square.

• There is a significant accumulation of mucus in the pope's lungs;
• The pope received "non-mechanical ventilation" in the afternoon; and,
• The pope's recovery "will not happen quickly."

As RedState previously reported, Pope Francis entered the hospital on February 14, presenting with a medically complex respiratory condition made worse by the fact that he only has one fully functioning lung.

The 88-year-old pope first entered Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with a "complex viral, bacterial, and fungal respiratory tract infection and then the onset of pneumonia," which poses a serious threat to his health since he only has one fully functional lung. Concern began to grow when the Vatican started canceling the pope's appearances for the following week, including the general audience he holds every Wednesday. He is often seen at this weekly event in a wheelchair and rarely misses it.

His condition has been up and down in the 18 days he's been in the hospital, but there are indications that the Holy Father is still able to get some work done despite his dire health situation.

Last Friday, Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert whose comments on illegal immigration seemed to have ruffled the pope's feathers, told the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast that, despite their differing political stances, the pope made a lasting impression on the vice president during the early days of COVID.

"I will always remember the Holy Father, whether he makes his way through this illness - and I certainly hope that he does - I will always remember the Holy Father in March of 2020, at a time of incredible stress for really the entire world … the Holy Father standing in an empty Saint Peter's Square, holding the Eucharist above his head and giving a sermon that I return to consistently, because it was incredibly meaningful to me at the time, [and] it remains meaningful today."

Vance then offered a prayer for Pope Francis:

"Almighty and generous God, we thank you for your charity. Please grant your mercy upon Pope Francis so he may be restored from sickness and guide us in watchful care. We pray that you bless our Holy Father's doctors, nurses, and medical staff with wisdom and capabilities so you may work through them to renew the health of your shepherd. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen."

RedState will keep you updated with the latest from the Vatican on Pope Francis's condition.