Pope Francis was hospitalized in the evening, the Vatican announced, and his condition is worse than previously stated.
Update from March 29, 2023, 11:23 p.m.: After being admitted to a clinic, Pope Francis’ state of health is apparently worse than initially announced by the Vatican. According to the Holy See, the head of the Catholic Church is suffering from a “respiratory infection” and will therefore spend “a few days” in the hospital. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Wednesday evening that the 86-year-old was infected during examinations at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The pope was therefore tested negative for the corona virus.
All of Francis’ appointments scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled. It was initially unclear whether the Pope would be able to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass next weekend and the celebrations planned for Holy Week and Easter.
Vatican spokesman Bruni said the Pope was hospitalized on Wednesday following complaining of breathing problems. The infection that has now been identified requires “a few days of appropriate medical treatment in the hospital”. Earlier on Wednesday, the Vatican said the pontiff had been taken to the hospital for “planned” examinations.
Pope Francis probably with heart and respiratory problems in the clinic – media reports contradict the Vatican
ROME – The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has been struggling with health problems for a long time. Now Pope Francis is back in a clinic, like in the evening dpa reported. According to the Vatican, these are planned investigations, for which no further details have been given for the time being.
Pope Francis admitted to hospital: Vatican announces health problems
Accordingly, the Vatican announced on Wednesday followingnoon that the Pope would be taken to the hospital for a “planned examination”. However, more and more details are now leaking out from the hospital, suggesting that heart and respiratory problems might be at the root of the pontiff’s re-hospitalization.
After the general audience: Pope is brought to the clinic by ambulance
According to a statement from the Vatican, Pope Francis is suffering from a respiratory infection and will remain in the clinic for a few days. The 86-year-old had complained of breathing problems in the past few days and tests diagnosed an infection. However, it is not a corona infection.
Francis had previously held his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, but had to cancel a planned TV interview at short notice and was taken to the clinic in Rome by ambulance instead.
Concern for Pope Francis: Unusual timing for ‘planned’ probes
There are now conflicting reports as to whether or not Pope Francis’ examinations at the hospital were actually planned, although the Vatican had officially stated the former. However, it is generally considered unusual that the Pope should have scheduled appointments to conduct extensive investigations so close to the celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter Holy Week.
According to media reports, the doctors gave the all-clear following the examinations in the hospital in the evening. The Pope is expected to spend at least one night in hospital nonetheless. Most recently, Pope Francis had pledged his support to the NGO Debt for Climate. The campaign calls on richer countries, the World Bank and the IMF to cancel the public debt of developing countries in order to enable them to invest in climate protection.