Former mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani pulled back from the brink of death after last rites were administered by a priest while he was hospitalized in critical condition. His spokesperson, Ted Goodman, had revealed that the mayor was in “critical but stable” condition, but it appears his condition was more serious than was disclosed at the time.

The 81-year-old had returned from a trip to Paris feeling short of breath. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and placed on a ventilator. Following the September 11 terror attack on the Twin Towers, he suffered from restrictive airway disease caused by breathing in the pollution from the attack, which exacerbated the pneumonia.

“On September 11th, 2001, as so many of us so vividly remember, Mayor Rudy Giuliani ran toward the towers to help those in need, which later led to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease,” Goodman posted on social media.

Goodman went on to say that Giuliani had improved to the point that he was taken off the ventilator.

“He is now breathing on his own, with his family and primary medical provider at his side,” he said. “Mayor Giuliani is the ultimate fighter — as he has demonstrated throughout his life — and he is winning this battle.”

Giuliani has been moved from the intensive care unit but will remain in the hospital for “some time” as he recovers, Goodman said.

“The mayor and his family appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers sent his way,” he added.

Last summer, Giuliani suffered serious injuries in an accident in which his car was rear-ended. Among his injuries were a fractured thoracic vertebra, several lacerations, injuries to his left arm and lower leg, and contusions.