Pope Francis will stay in hospital for further treatment after contracting a respiratory infection, according to a Vatican spokesperson.
Tests have shown that the Pope has a respiratory tract infection.
Vatican News reported that the 88-year-old pontiff had a “restful night” at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital. He had a “slight fever” on Friday, but it subsided by Saturday.
The Vatican confirmed that the Pope was admitted to the hospital after battling bronchitis for about a week.
Before the hospital visit, CNN’s CEO Mark Thompson met with the Pope. CNN reported that the Pope was “mentally alert” but had trouble speaking for long periods due to breathing issues.
Pope Francis has faced health challenges throughout his life. At the age of 21, doctors removed part of his lung after he developed pleurisy, an inflammation of the lungs’ membranes.
In recent years, the Pope has had several surgeries, including ones in 2021 and 2023. He also suffers from knee problems, which have led him to use a wheelchair.
In his autobiography, the Pope explained that his health issues come with age. He said, “the Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs.”
The Pope also suffered two falls in recent months. One occurred in December, and the other happened in January. After the second fall, the Vatican said he wore a sling on his arm as a precautionary measure.
