Pope Francis hospitalized with bronchitis, cancels upcoming appearances
Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Friday for tests and bronchitis treatment, and has cancelled upcoming events, the Vatican said.
The pope's hospitalization comes amid reports that the pontiff, 88 years old, has struggled to speak and breathe during his public appearances and meetings. At some events this year, he has asked aides to read his prepared remarks for him.
"Pope Francis was admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue his treatment for bronchitis, which is still ongoing, in a hospital environment," the Vatican said in a statement Friday.
The Vatican later said that Saturday's scheduled Jubilee Audience was cancelled along with a visit to Cinecitta studios to meet with artists on Monday. He also won't preside over Sunday's Mass.
Earlier Friday before his hospitalization, the pope met with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle and CNN CEO Mark Thompson.
CNN's Vatican correspondent, Christopher Lamb, said the pope appeared mentally alert but was "struggling to speak for extended periods due to breathing difficulties" on Friday, the outlet reported.
The Vatican first said the pope had bronchitis on Feb. 6, but that he would continue with his scheduled audiences at the time.
On Friday, photos outside the Gemelli hospital where the pope is receiving treatment showed an arrangement of flowers, candles and pictures of Francis at the base of a statue of Pope John Paul II.
The pope's health history
Francis has had several bouts with illness and visits to the Gemelli hospital in recent years, including flu-like symptoms at this time last year, bronchitis in March 2023 and abdominal surgery in June 2023 to repair a hernia that kept him in the hospital nine days.
"Still alive," he joked with reporters upon release from the hospital in 2023.
He also had two recent falls in December and last month.
"This morning, due to a fall at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis suffered a contusion on his right forearm, without fractures. The arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure," the Vatican said Jan. 16.
The pope is sometimes seen using a cane or wheelchair at public appearances.
As a young man, the pope had part of his lung removed in his home country of Argentina.
Contributing: Reuters