Pope Francis, known for his relentless work ethic despite his health issues, was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Friday, February 14, due to a complication of his bronchitis. This has been his fourth hospitalization since his election in 2013, raising concerns about his increasingly fragile health.
Doctors confirmed that the 88-year-old pontiff has a respiratory infection and prescribed absolute rest, along with unspecified medication. As a result, the Pope had to skip his traditional Sunday blessing and did not go out to greet the people who gathered outside the hospital to show their support.
Despite this setback, Pope Francis spent his Sunday reading newspapers and having breakfast after a second night of restorative sleep in the hospital. Through his social media account, he thanked people for their prayers, while the Vatican spokesperson promised to provide more information about his health later in the day.
In the past, Pope Francis had been treated for acute pneumonia during a three-day hospital stay in 2023. Despite being diagnosed with bronchitis weeks earlier, he continued with his demanding routine, participating in audiences and taking on additional responsibilities within the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has canceled all scheduled events until at least Monday, and the Pope has not been able to preside over the Holy Year Mass that he had planned. Regarding his illness, the Holy See has not provided specific details about the respiratory infection he is suffering from, although it is speculated that it may be related to his history of lung problems.
Pope Francis, who in his youth underwent the removal of part of a lung due to an infection, has had several health setbacks in recent years, including falls that have compromised his mobility. The swelling he has recently presented may be a side effect of the medication he is receiving to treat the infection.
