The Vatican said Friday that Pope Francis is on a breathing machine after suffering a sudden respiratory episode during his hospitalization. "The Holy Father, this afternoon, after a morning spent alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayer in the chapel,

As the 88-year-old pope continued treatment, the development of the spasm and subsequent complication marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat health reports.

Pope Francis is recovering today after suffering a "sudden worsening of his respiratory condition," the Vatican said.