Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome to undergo diagnoses and treatments related to the bronchitis he suffers, which has caused respiratory difficulties in recent days, according to the Holy See. The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff has been experiencing breathing difficulties and had to ask his attendees to read his interventions on his behalf. This development comes after the pontiff had to cut short his weekly general audience on Wednesday due to breathing difficulties, asking one of his fathers to continue reading his speech.
The Vatican explained that Pope Francis went to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital after his morning hearings, which included a meeting with the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico. The hospital has a special ward equipped with a chapel to receive the Head of the Catholic Church. The objective of the hospitalization is to allow the pontiff to continue his treatment for bronchitis, which he has been suffering from since last week.
The pontiff has been dealing with various health issues, including knee and hip pain, an inflammation of the colon, and respiratory difficulties, in addition to bronchitis. In his youth, he underwent a partial ablation of a lung, and since 2022, he has been using a wheelchair and a cane, rarely standing. Despite these health challenges, Pope Francis maintains a busy schedule with numerous audiences and tasks, often having up to ten appointments in a single morning.
A History of Health Issues
In recent years, Pope Francis has been hospitalized several times for various health issues. In June 2023, he was hospitalized for 10 days at the Gemelli Hospital for an abdominal hernia operation, which required general anesthesia. He also had to cancel his participation in the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023 due to bronchitis. Furthermore, in March 2024, he annulled his participation in the Viacrucis of the Colosseum of Rome, although he was able to officiate the Mass of the Easter of Resurrection days later.
Despite his health problems, Pope Francis continues to travel, even to distant lands. In September, he embarked on the longest trip of his pontificate, a 12-day journey through Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Indonesia, and Singapore. The pontiff’s determination to maintain his busy schedule is a testament to his commitment to his duties as the Head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has not released any further information on the pontiff’s current condition, but it is expected that he will continue to receive treatment for his bronchitis at the hospital. As the news of his hospitalization spreads, many are sending their well-wishes to the pontiff, hoping for his speedy recovery.
