Pope Francis will be receiving treatment at the Gemelli hospital in Rome following ongoing bronchitis symptoms that have necessitated delegating public appearances to aides.
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital for Bronchitis Treatment
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital for Bronchitis Treatment
The 88-year-old pontiff is set to undergo diagnostic tests as he grapples with recurrent bronchitis symptoms.
In a short announcement from the Vatican, it was revealed that Pope Francis would be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic after his morning audiences on Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff has been experiencing bronchitis symptoms for several days, leading him to ask officials to read his prepared speeches during recent engagements. The Vatican statement noted, "This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests and to continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis."
During a recent address, the Pope acknowledged his struggles with the illness, requesting a priest to read part of his speech due to his difficulty speaking with bronchitis. He expressed hope for recovery by saying, "I hope that next time I can," after he opted to delegate part of a speech he was supposed to deliver himself. His recent engagements included a mass and a general audience where he similarly relied on aides to communicate on his behalf.
Last week, Pope Francis had been holding meetings at his Vatican residence to facilitate rest and recuperation from his illness. This is not the first time the pontiff has faced such health challenges; he was admitted for bronchitis treatment at the same hospital in March 2023, where he spent three nights. His health concerns have impacted his schedule before, as evidenced when he canceled his trip to the United Arab Emirates for COP28 due to another illness in December.
Pope Francis, who has been leading the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, has faced multiple health issues throughout his life, including a significant surgery in his youth that resulted in the removal of part of his lung at age 21.
During a recent address, the Pope acknowledged his struggles with the illness, requesting a priest to read part of his speech due to his difficulty speaking with bronchitis. He expressed hope for recovery by saying, "I hope that next time I can," after he opted to delegate part of a speech he was supposed to deliver himself. His recent engagements included a mass and a general audience where he similarly relied on aides to communicate on his behalf.
Last week, Pope Francis had been holding meetings at his Vatican residence to facilitate rest and recuperation from his illness. This is not the first time the pontiff has faced such health challenges; he was admitted for bronchitis treatment at the same hospital in March 2023, where he spent three nights. His health concerns have impacted his schedule before, as evidenced when he canceled his trip to the United Arab Emirates for COP28 due to another illness in December.
Pope Francis, who has been leading the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 12 years, has faced multiple health issues throughout his life, including a significant surgery in his youth that resulted in the removal of part of his lung at age 21.
