- David Giglione and Alice Davies
- BBC – Rome and London
Pope Francis attended his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday before entering the hospital
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to spend a few days in a hospital in Rome.
The Vatican statement said that the 86-year-old pope had been experiencing breathing difficulties in recent days, but stressed that he was not suffering from a Covid-19 infection.
The statement confirmed that he would require “a few days of appropriate medical treatment in hospital”.
He pointed out that “Pope Francis was touched by the many messages he received, and expresses his gratitude for the interest and prayers for him.”
He is expected to be accompanied at Gemelli Hospital by his closest staff, including his own security, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told the BBC.
This period is the busiest for Pope Francis, as he is scheduled to participate in many events and lead many services scheduled before the Easter weekend.
A Palm Sunday service is scheduled for this weekend, as well as Holy Week and Easter celebrations next week.
He was also scheduled to visit Hungary at the end of April.
On Wednesday morning, the Pope presided over the weekly meeting with the masses in St. Peter’s Square. He appeared to be in good spirits, but was seen frowning in pain as he climbed into his car.
The Pope has used a wheelchair in recent months due to mobility issues with his knee.
He also underwent surgery to treat a colon problem in 2021. In January, he said, the suffering had returned to him once more.
Despite his health struggles, the pope has maintained his activity during the last period and made trips abroad. He also visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan in February.
In January, he also led the funeral services for his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who was the first pope to step down voluntarily in centuries. Benedict announced at the time that health problems were behind this decision.
Pope Francis has previously indicated that he may also wish to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps and step down if his health deteriorates.
