Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday for tests and treatment for bronchitis, the Vatican announced.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has experienced breathing difficulties in recent days, was taken to the hospital following his morning audiences. According to the Vatican, he will undergo “necessary diagnostic tests and continue treatment for ongoing bronchitis in a hospital setting.”
Francis, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has struggled with respiratory issues over the past week, frequently delegating aides to read his speeches aloud.
This is not the first time the pope has been hospitalised for bronchitis. In March 2023, he spent three nights in the same hospital, recovering with antibiotic treatment.
In December, he was forced to cancel his participation in the United Nations COP28 climate conference in Dubai due to another bout of the illness.
The Argentine-born leader of the Catholic Church has faced several health challenges in recent years, including knee and hip pain, an inflamed colon, and hernia surgery.
