Pope Francis was hospitalized this Friday to treat a persistent bronchitis he has been dealing with for several days. The Vatican reported that the Pontiff was admitted to Agostino Gemelli Hospital for medical tests and to continue his treatment.
Last Wednesday, Francis, 88, had to interrupt the reading of his catechesis during the general audience at the Vatican due to bronchitis. After reading a few lines, he handed the text over to a collaborator as the illness made it difficult for him to speak.
“And now I ask the priest to continue reading. With my bronchitis, I can’t right now. I hope I can next time,” the Pope said before handing the text to Don Pierluigi Giroli, a member of the Secretariat of State.
The previous Sunday, he also struggled to finish his homily during the Jubilee Mass for the Armed Forces in St. Peter’s Square. Having trouble breathing, he delegated the reading and briefly addressed the attendees: “Now I apologize and ask the master to continue reading due to difficulty in breathing.”
His health has been a concern in recent months, with recurring episodes of fatigue and respiratory issues.
Last week, during the general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, he was also unable to read his catechesis due to a “severe cold,” according to the Holy See. “I apologize, but with this strong cold, it is difficult for me to speak,” he said before handing over the reading to a priest. Even so, he managed to deliver greetings in several languages and took the opportunity to ask for prayers for priests and religious figures working in conflict zones such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Last December, he had already shown similar symptoms, which led him to adjust his schedule. On that occasion, the Vatican decided he would recite the Angelus from the chapel of his residence at Casa Santa Marta instead of from the Apostolic Palace window.
Francis has also faced other health issues in recent months. In January, he suffered a fall at his residence that caused an injury to his right forearm, though no fractures were found, and he only required a sling. In December, he hit his chin against his nightstand, resulting in a visible bruise on his face during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope suffers from recurrent respiratory problems and, due to knee issues, often uses a wheelchair. In March 2023, he was hospitalized for three days due to a respiratory infection, which raised concerns about his health.
The Pope’s physical condition has been a recurring topic of discussion in Vatican circles, especially since Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 due to health problems. Although Francis has ruled out the possibility of abdicating, he has acknowledged that his limited mobility has forced him to adjust his schedule and reduce some of his travels.
