Pope In Hospital With Breathing Problems
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
VATICAN CITY (Worthy News) – Pope Francis is in a hospital in Rome with a respiratory infection that caused breathing difficulties, the Vatican said Wednesday.
However, Vatican officials added that the 86-year-old church leader of more than a billion Catholics does not have COVID-19.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pontiff “went to Gemelli Hospital for some previously scheduled check-ups.”
Pope Francis “has complained of some respiratory difficulties and in the afternoon went to the Policlinico A. Gemelli in Rome to undergo some medical check-ups,” the Vatican explained. “The results show a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment.”
He was “touched by the many messages received and expressed his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”
Surrounded by his closest staff and security, the pope spent the night at the Gemelli Hospital, sources with intimate knowledge about the situation said.
He arrived in the hospital shortly after presiding over the regular Wednesday General Audience in St Peter’s Square.
BUSY TIME
His hospitalization comes at one of the busiest times of year for the pope, with “Palm Sunday Mass” scheduled this weekend and “Holy Week and Easter” celebrations next week.
He was also due to visit Hungary April 28-30, which includes a massive Mass at Budapest’s Heroes Square.
The stay in the hospital underscored broader concerns about his health.
Pope Francis has used a wheelchair in recent months due to mobility problems related to his knee.
He underwent surgery to treat a colon problem in 2021. In January, he said the condition had returned.
Despite his ailments, Pope Francis has continued a busy schedule and visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February.
He has not excluded the possibility that he would retire if his health further deteriorates, Worthy News monitored.
Pope Francis would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI – who was the first pope to step down voluntarily for centuries citing poor health.
In January, Francis led the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI.
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