The Vatican reports that Pope Francis will be hospitalized for a respiratory infection. He will be in the hospital for several days for treatment. Concerns over the 86-year-old pontiff’s health are on the rise due to this latest development.
A Vatican official says Pope Francis spent a second night at a Rome hospital as he receives antibiotics intravenously to treat bronchitis.
It wasn't clear if the 86-year-old pontiff would be discharged in time for the start of Holy Week on Palm Sunday. https://t.co/w0WUX4nRvy
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) March 31, 2023
“In recent days Pope Francis complained of some respiratory difficulties and this afternoon he went to Policlinico A. Gemelli for some medical checks,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. “The outcome of these [tests] showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy.”
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” Bruni continued.
The Pontiff was taken to the hospital to undergo a number of tests after his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square this past Wednesday. The Vatican claims that the visit to the hospital and the tests were planned.
Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will stay in hospital in Rome for a few days, the Vatican says https://t.co/3raZhb4yCW
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 29, 2023
“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli since this afternoon for some previously scheduled tests,” Bruni said.
On Thursday, Vatican sources told News Oulets that the Pope “slept well” during his first night in the hospital.
The Church of Rome also expressed “all its closeness and affection to its Bishop Pope Francis, and ensures its unceasing prayers, wishing him a speedy recovery,” it said in a statement.
Bishops in churches across Italy are praying for the Pope’s speedy recovery, the Presidency of the Italian Episcopal Conference, on behalf of the Italian bishops, said in a statement.
BREAKING: The Vatican says Pope Francis will be hospitalized for several days for treatment of a pulmonary infection after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days. https://t.co/79B0wBitw3
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 29, 2023
“In wishing the Holy Father a speedy recovery, the Presidency entrusts to the Lord the doctors and medical staff who, with professionalism and dedication, care for him and all patients,” the statement added.
Pope Francis has a history of health issues, as a young man he suffered from severe pneumonia and had part of a lung removed.
Recently health concerns for the Pope have risen as he has been seen with a walking stick and sometimes uses a wheelchair.
Pope Francis suffers from diverticulitis as well. This common condition can cause inflammation or infection of the colon. Due to these issues, he had surgery in 2021 to remove part of his colon.
