Pope Francis has been hospitalized for a respiratory infection and is expected to remain in the hospital for several days, the Vatican said on Wednesday.
The pontiff was taken to the hospital in Rome after experiencing some difficulty breathing. Francis is generally active and in good health. He took part in the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square earlier in the day. However, the 86-year-old will need to be observed for a while due to the infection.
“In recent days Pope Francis complained of some respiratory difficulties and this afternoon he went to Policlinico A. Gemelli for some medical checks,” read a Vatican statement. “The outcome of the same showed a respiratory infection (excluding Covid-19 infection) that will require a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy.”
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” the statement continued.
The Vatican initially said the check-up had been scheduled, but Italian media questioned that, saying a television interview with the pope set for Wednesday afternoon had been cancelled at the last moment, according to Reuters.
In the past, Francis has suffered from diverticulitis and also a condition with his knee. He previously said he does not want to have knee surgery because he’s had a bad reaction to anesthesia before.
Last year, Francis acknowledged that his advancing age may have ushered in a new, slower phase of his papacy. It is unknown whether the pope will be out of the hospital before Palm Sunday, as the Vatican gears up to celebrate Easter on April 9.