The pope has once again been placed on noninvasive mechanical ventilation after he developed new breathing issues, the Vatican said on Monday.

The Vatican said Pope Francis inhaled “copious” amounts of mucus as he battles a respiratory infection and pneumonia, The Associated Press reported.

Officials said his recent breathing issues were caused by a “significant accumulation” of mucus in his lungs as well as bronchial spasms,” the AP reported.

CNN reported the Vatican saying he had “two episodes of acute respiratory failure.”

Doctors performed two bronchoscopies “with the need for aspiration of copious secretions.” Officials said the pope was alert, oriented and cooperated with the medical staff and that his prognosis remains guarded, according to Vatican News.

The pope has been in the hospital for more than two weeks for a lung infection. This is the longest he has been hospitalized since becoming pope 12 years ago.

On Sunday, the Vatican said Pope Francis was in stable condition and did not need mechanical ventilation, saying that it had been a sign that he had overcome the issues he was having last week, the AP reported about 12 hours prior to the latest information.

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