Pope Francis was taken to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, the Vatican has announced. He is being treated for bronchitis.
The 88-year-old Pope was admitted on Friday for tests and to continue treatment of his ongoing bronchitis in a hospital environment, Vatican News reported based on a statement from the Holy See Press Office. He was brought to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic hospital following his morning audiences.
The Pope has been suffering from bronchitis for over a week now. On 6 February, the Holy See Press Office released a statement noting that the Pope was suffering from bronchitis and would hold his audiences at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta.
He has had to forgo reading his catechesis during his weekly general audience the last two Wednesdays due to breathing difficulties.
Visit to Belgium
Francis has been head of the Catholic Church since 2013. Over the past two years, he has suffered from influenza and other health problems several times.
The Pope visited Belgium in September last year, marking the first papal tour of the country in almost 30 years. Plans for the historic visit were first hinted at in December 2023, with the Pope expressing his desire to travel to Belgium in recognition of the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven.
L-R: Queen Mathilde, Pope Francis, King Philippe, and former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) at the Royal Castle in Laeken, Friday 27 September 2024. Credit: Belga
He suffered from a mild flu just days before his scheduled departure, raising concerns that the trip could be cancelled. However, he rallied and the tour went ahead.
