Pope Francis hospitalized with respiratory infection in Rome

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for treatment of a respiratory infection, according to a statement from the Vatican. The 86-year-old pontiff had been experiencing breathing difficulties in recent days, and tests confirmed a respiratory infection that was not Covid-19. The Vatican spokesman said the pope will receive appropriate hospital medical treatment for a few days, cancelling his appointments for Thursday morning.

This latest hospitalization comes just ahead of Holy Week and Easter, the most important Christian holiday. Francis has suffered from chronic knee pain over the past year, which has required him to use a wheelchair. He was also admitted to the same hospital in July 2021 for an operation on his colon, after suffering from a type of diverticulitis. In recent interviews, Francis has acknowledged the need to slow down due to his health but has said that the idea of papal resignation is not currently on his agenda.