Pope Francis has been hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli hospital after suffering a week-long exacerbation of bronchitis, necessitating treatment for a respiratory infection, as confirmed by the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff’s health issues have forced him to cancel his schedule through at least Monday. Upon his arrival, he maintained a positive demeanour, reading newspapers after presiding over morning audiences. Preliminary tests indicated he is in “fair” condition, presenting mild fever and ongoing respiratory treatment.
Known for his struggles with health, Francis, who had part of his lung removed in his youth, has dealt with bronchitis multiple times during colder months. Although he had managed to carry out daily audiences from his Vatican suite, he began experiencing breathing difficulties and had to delegate some speech duties to aides. Observers noted he appeared pale and bloated, potentially from medication side effects.
The Vatican announced his hospital admission after his last audience, where he met with officials, including the Slovak prime minister. While a cardinal is set to lead certain events in his absence, the specifics of his recovery timeline remain unclear. Hospital-goers express concern for his well-being, hoping for a swift recovery as he continues to deal with health challenges.