The Vatican’s early Friday update also suggested a level of normalcy and routine as the 88-year-old pope continues recovering at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

The Pope has reached the two-week mark in his recovery from pneumonia, as doctors suggested he had overcome the most critical phase of the infection – while not declaring him out of danger entirely. The Vatican’s update on Friday morning also suggested a level of normalcy and routine as the 88-year-old continues recovering at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

The Vatican reported Friday that he experienced sudden breathing problems that required “non-invasive mechanical ventilation” but that he remained “alert.”