The Vatican announced that Pope Francis has been taken to a hospital in Rome for examination and ongoing treatment for bronchitis.
It said the 88-year-old was breathless after being diagnosed last Thursday and appointed officials to read the speech, and was admitted after morning audiences, it said.
“This morning, at the end of the audience, Pope Francis was taken to Policlinico Agostino Gemelli for some necessary diagnostic tests and continued his bronchitis treatment, which is still being done in a hospital setting,” a statement said.
The pope had removed a portion of his lungs when he was young and he had long struggled with health problems, especially acute bronchitis in the winter.
Earlier this month, Francis told the pilgrims in a weekly audience that he suffered from a “strong cold” that the Vatican later described as bronchitis.
Francis has developed swelling since he was diagnosed, suggesting that the medications he used to treat lung infections kept him water.
He has been taken to the hospital several times in recent years and underwent surgery in 2021 to resolve a painful disease called diverticulitis and to repair his hernia again in 2023.
The Holy See said the Pope was injured in a fall at his Santa Mata home last month, saying he had suffered no fractures.
Despite Francis’ age and health difficulties, he has remained very active in recent months, completing trips to four countries in September, the longest duration and distance of his pope.
“I’m fine,” Pope Francis said in January. “The church is controlled by head and heart rather than legs.”
“It was awkward to have to use a wheelchair at first, but older adults never arrive alone and have to accept its essence,” he said.
