Pope Francis arrives for the Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis on Feb. 9.
Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Photos
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Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Photos
Pope Francis wants extra hospital care this week after being admitted for bronchitis, the Vatican’s press workplace mentioned Monday.
The 88-year-old pontiff had been battling a case of bronchitis since early February. He was taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday for therapy and diagnostic assessments, in line with the Vatican.
Over the weekend, the Vatican reported that his well being appeared “stable” and his fever had subsided. Then on Monday, the Vatican mentioned new medical take a look at outcomes indicated that Francis has “a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract.” In line with medical analysis, such infections are usually brought on by a mixture of viruses, micro organism, fungi and parasites.
“All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalization,” the Vatican mentioned Monday morning. This week’s common viewers has been canceled.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni advised reporters Monday that Francis stays in good spirits. Francis additionally continued to test in on the parish priest of the Catholic Church in Gaza — which turned routine since battle broke out between Israel and Hamas in 2023.
Rev. Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Household Church in Gaza Metropolis advised the Vatican Information that Francis known as on Friday and Saturday, and despatched a textual content message on Sunday.
“We heard his voice. It is true, he is more tired. He himself said, ‘I have to take care of myself.’ But you could hear the clear voice, he listened to us well,” Romanelli mentioned.

A candle with an image of Pope Francis is ready on the backside of a statue of Pope John Paul II on the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Saturday, the place Pope Francis is hospitalized for assessments and therapy.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP through Getty Photos
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Filippo Monteforte/AFP through Getty Photos
A recap of Pope Francis’ hospital stays
That is at the least the fourth time Francis has been hospitalized since he was elected in 2013.
In July 2021, the pope underwent a three-hour surgical procedure to take away a part of his colon, in response to diverticulitis, a situation that may infect or inflame the colon.
Then, in March 2023, Francis spent three days on the hospital to deal with a respiratory an infection. Later, in June, the pontiff underwent stomach surgical procedure that additionally lasted three hours to deal with a hernia that was inflicting him reoccurring ache.
In his 20s, Francis additionally had a part of one lung eliminated, which typically precipitated shortness of breath.