After being hospitalized on Friday for bronchitis, Pope Francis was prescribed “full rest” and will not direct his traditional Sunday noon blessing, according to the Vatican.
In a statement published on Saturday evening, the Vatican confirmed that Francis had a respiratory tract infection and said that the doctors of the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, a medical establishment in Rome, had “slightly modified” its treatment according to the results of the microbiological tests . The Vatican said that diagnostic tests carried out on Saturday showed “an improvement in certain values” and that Francis had no fever.
Friday, the hospitalization of the Pope had revived the concerns concerning the health of the pontiff, which is 88 years old and was subject to respiratory infections during the colder winter months.
Francis had a part of a lung with a young man withdrawn, and in recent years, he has struggled against a certain number of health problems, using a wheelchair or a cane to move. He was hospitalized with bronchitis in 2023, and a few months later to undergo abdominal surgery for hernia. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery. He suffered diagnostic tests at Gemelli hospital last year after a slight flu.
He also fell twice in his suite in recent weeks, bruising his chin in December and injuring an arm last month.
Friday, Pope Francis was taken to Gemelli hospital so that doctors can treat a case during bronchitis “in a hospital environment,” said the Vatican.
THE The Vatican had announced In early February that Francis had bronchitis, and that “to continue his activities”, he would hold his audience at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house where he lives, rather at the apostolic palace. In recent weeks, he has complained about respiratory problems, and the Vatican aid has read his homilies and other addresses in his place during events. This Sunday, the blessing of Midi of Francis, the prayer of Angelus, will be published, not delivered, said the Vatican on Saturday.
Francis has had a full schedule since the opening of the New Year of the Jubilee 2025, which was held every 25 years in the Roman Catholic church. In addition to his usual program, he chairs the public of several Saturdays with hundreds of pilgrims who came to Rome for the jubilee and celebrating mass to the Vatican by several Sundays. Last weekend, so many people attended a jubilee event that mass was rather celebrated outside, in front of the Saint-Pierre basilica.
The Vatican announced on Friday that the pope’s agenda would be authorized at least until Monday.
“Pope Francis has been updated on the many messages of proximity and affection he received and expressed his gratitude, while asking people to continue to pray for him,” said the Vatican.
