Argentines have long waited for Pope Francis to visit the homeland he left in 2013 to become the head of the Roman Catholic Church. With his health delicate as he battles double pneumonia, the return seems increasingly unlikely now to happen.

Pope Francis, 88, has been in hospital in Rome since February 14 and on Monday suffered two episodes of "acute respiratory failure". Here is what we know about the health of the Argentine pontiff.

Pope Francis, 88, has been in hospital in Rome since February 14, suffering two respiratory crises but reported by the Vatican on Sunday evening to be in a "stable" condition.

If the news concerning Pope Francis’s health problems is concerning Catholics all over the globe, in Argentina it is especially troubling.

Faithful gathered on Tuesday (February 18) to pray for Pope Francis’ recovery from double pneumonia and a respiratory infection. Churchgoers in Buenos Aires pray for pope's health. US says will levy tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on Feb. 1

Pope Francis had a good night’s rest early Monday after apparently overcoming a setback in his recovery from pneumonia. He is stable, off mechanical ventilation and shows no sign of new infection. Doctors Gemelli Hospital,

Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

Pope Francis experienced two episodes of respiratory failure today, March 3. He is once again on mechanical ventilation, according to Vatican News. "Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,