Pope Francis is hospitalized for a few days with a lung infection after having had some difficulty breathing in recent days, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.
Vatican News, the official news service of the Holy See, reported that he went to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for medical examinations after experiencing “breathing difficulties”. Test results showed the pope has a non-COVID-19 respiratory infection that will require a few days of hospital treatment.
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” the outlet reported.
Pope Francis presided over a general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning ahead of his trip to hospital.
This is Francis’ first hospitalization since spending 10 days at Gemelli in July 2021 for the removal of 13 inches of his colon.
Pope Francis arrives for an audience with pilgrims from the Diocese of Rho, in the Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Francis had part of a lung removed when he was young due to a respiratory infection, which caused him to speak in a low voice often.
His mobility has become increasingly limited lately. He used a wheelchair due to strained ligaments in his right knee and a small knee fracture for more than a year, but said he was recovering and could walk with a cane more often recently.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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