The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for a “complex clinical situation” and will remain in hospital for as long as necessary.
The 88-year-old was reportedly admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis.
The Vatican declared on Monday that the pontiff has a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract, which has resulted in a change in his treatment. Before he was admitted last week, the Pope had begun to feel bronchitis symptoms for several days and had delegated officials to read prepared speeches at events.
Reacting to the development, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters on Monday that the Pope was in good spirits.
A short statement on his condition read, “All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalisation.”
Over the weekend, the Vatican said the Pope’s condition was stable and that he had been told to have “complete rest” to aid his recovery.
He was unable to deliver his regular weekly prayer on Sunday in St Peter’s Square or lead a special mass for artists to mark the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
The Argentine pope has spent nearly 12 years as the global leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He previously spent three nights at the same hospital in March 2023 for the same bronchitis treatment.
In December of the same year, he was forced to cancel his trip to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit because of another bout of illness. He remains a survivor of multiple health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
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