Pope Francis was hospitalized last Wednesday, March 29, after developing bronchitis due to a respiratory infection with which he had battled in previous days.
According to Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, the Supreme Pontiff does not have COVID-19, as had been suspected, but he would still require several days of treatment to improve his state of health.
According to Bruni, the 86-year-old pope was taken to the Gemelli Hospital for tests, which confirmed that it was a lung infection.
Before this was reported, it was learned that the church leader had canceled all his hearings for the next two days, although it has not been specified exactly how long he will have to spend in the hospital.
According to APthe pope had appeared relatively well at the general audience he held on Wednesday, although some people saw him wince as he got in and out of his vehicle, which worried the faithful.
It is important to remember that the Supreme Pontiff lost part of a lung when he was young due to a respiratory infection, and that in 2021, he spent more than a week at the Gemelli hospital, where he underwent a bowel operation.
According to the medium CNNThe Vatican assured this Friday, March 31, that the Holy Father has shown improvement in recent days, and that the antibiotic treatment he received seemed to be taking effect. If he continues to improve, the pope will leave the hospital this Saturday, April 1.
In turn, it was learned that Francisco had recovered his appetite almost immediately, as he had pizza for dinner with his collaborators inside the hospital.
For its part, the Holy See Press Office reported this Friday that Pope Francis visited children in the hospital’s pediatric oncology ward, bringing them rosaries and chocolate eggs.
The Vatican also confirmed that the holy father will participate in the Palm Sunday Mass, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square, although it has not been confirmed if he will preside over the ceremony, or will only be present.
