ROME and LONDON -- Pope Francis suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure" on Monday, the Vatican said. The episodes were caused by a "significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm," the Vatican's press office said in a brief statement.

Pope Francis was "resting" Thursday after a peaceful night, the Vatican said as the 88-year-old nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. On Thursday morning, the Holy See issued a typically brief statement saying "the night passed peacefully" and the pope was resting.

Pope Francis, 88, was placed on a non-invasive mechanical ventilator after a bronchospasm caused him to inhale vomit. His condition is “guarded.”

The Vatican said the pope responded well to the treatment, with a good level of gas exchange, and remained conscious and alert at all times.

Vatican City: Pope Francis suffered an isolated episode of bronchospasm on February 28, causing vomiting and a deterioration in his respiratory condition, Vatican News reported.

After experiencing progressive improvement the past few days, Pope Francis experienced “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” which led to coughing and “vomiting with inhalation,” which worsened his respiratory condition, the Vatican said.

Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff had a bronchospasm ...

There's a first time for everything.But the phrase "copious secretions" in an official update from the Vatican on Pope Francis? That level of detail may be surprising even to those who aren't aware historically how taboo it was considered to openly discuss a pope's health.