Pope Francis hospitalised
Pope Francis, 86, was hospitalised in Rome's Gemelli hospital on Wednesday with a respiratory infection that requires him to remain under observation for a few days.
"In recent days Pope Francis has complained of some breathing difficulties," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.
The pope was taken to hospital for medical checkup, which then revealed the respiratory infection.
Bruni added that tests have shown it was not Covid, but the infection “will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment".
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” Bruni added.
The statement comes after the Italian media questioned whether the pope was unexpectedly hospitalised, or if he actually went for a scheduled checkup, as a TV interview scheduled with the pope Wednesday afternoon had been cancelled at the last minute.
Earlier that day, the pope appeared to be in good spirits as he greeted the general audience at the Vatican in his popemobile.
A Vatican source has also confirmed that the pope’s activities on Thursday were cancelled, and others were likely to follow, in what is his busiest period with Easter Sunday coming up on April 9.
Pope Francis has had part of his lungs removed in his early 20s after almost dying when he developed pleurisy, so he is generally more exposed to respiratory problems.
He also suffers from diverticulitis, which is a condition that can infect or inflame pouches in the digestive tract, and has had surgery for it in 2021.
In January, he said that the condition had returned and did not elaborate further.
The pope also has a problem with his knee, which has led him to cancel or limit activities last year and alternates between using a cane and a wheelchair in public.
Despite all of his health issues, the pope has said that he has no plans to resign soon, unless his health deterred him from doing his job.
Image: Getty