Pope Francis, suffering from the flu, was taken to a hospital in central Rome after an audience on Wednesday, the Vatican reported.
The 87-year-old pontiff was seen arriving at Gemelli Hospital, located on Tiber Island. A short time later, he left under escort in the same car, according to Italian media.
After the general audience Pope Francis went to the Gemelli Isola Tiberina Hospital for some diagnostic tests. At the end he returned to the Vatican.
Francis, who has been battling mild flu symptoms in the past week, cancelled appointments on Saturday and Monday but appeared as usual for Sunday’s blessing from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square.
In April, the pope spent three days at Gemelli Hospital over bronchitis, according to the Vatican. He was discharged after an intravenous injection of antibiotics.
The pontiff has had several health problems in recent years. In late November, he was forced to cancel some of his events and an international trip due to breathing problems. However, a scan at the time ruled out pulmonary complications.
Nevertheless, the pontiff has stated several times that he is ready to resign, following the example of his predecessor Benedict XVI, if his health deteriorates to the point where it becomes an obstacle to his leadership of the Catholic Church.
Benedict’s resignation in 2013 was a turning point for the church as he became the first pontiff in six centuries to step down.
