Pope Francis in hospital for respiratory infection
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, 86, was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Wednesday with a respiratory infection which will require a stay of a few days, the Vatican said.
“In recent days Pope Francis has complained of some breathing difficulties,” said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni in a statement.
The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for medical checks, which revealed “a respiratory infection... that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment,” Bruni said, adding that a Covid-19 infection had been excluded.
Francis had been admitted “for some previously scheduled checks.”
The pope, who this month marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church, had earlier appeared in good spirits at his weekly audience at the Vatican, smiling as he greeted the faithful from his “popemobile.”
However, he was seen grimacing as he was helped getting into the vehicle and Italian media reported he was taken to hospital by ambulance.
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” said Bruni’s statement.
It was the same hospital where the pope underwent an operation on his colon in July 2021 after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine.
He remained at hospital for 10 days after the surgery.
The Argentine pontiff suffers from chronic knee pain that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair in recent months.
The pope had to cancel or curtail activities several times last year because of pain and in a July 2022 interview he admitted that he needed to slow down.
His health has been the frequent subject of speculation. Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, who died in December, quit over failing health in 2013.