Pope Francis experienced two respiratory episodes Monday caused by a buildup of mucus, another setback for the Catholic Church leader as he nears his third week of hospitalization. The Holy See Press Office said the breathing setbacks were created by a buildup of mucus in the pope’s lungs and a bronchial spasm (a sudden tightening of airway muscles making breathing difficult).

Pope Francis has suffered two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, the Vatican announced in an update on Monday evening. The Holy See Press Office stated that the condition was caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus,