Pope Francis, 88, hospitalized with bronchitis

Pope Francis, who has been experiencing breathlessness in recent days and has relied on aides to deliver his speeches, followed through with his scheduled morning meetings before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican announced.

He was hospitalized for "necessary diagnostic tests and continued treatment for ongoing bronchitis in a hospital setting," the statement added.

Due to his hospitalization, two scheduled audiences on Saturday and Monday were canceled, and a cardinal will now preside over Sunday’s Mass in his place.

According to a Vatican update on Friday evening, preliminary tests confirmed a respiratory tract infection, and his condition remains "stable, with a slight fever." Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reassured the public, stating, "The Pope is calm, in good spirits, and has been reading newspapers."

The Argentine-born pontiff, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, is staying in a special suite at Gemelli hospital, reserved exclusively for popes, complete with its own chapel.

Outside the hospital, a well-wisher left a candle with an image of Pope Francis at the base of a statue of Pope John Paul II.

Reports in Italian media suggest that Francis was admitted after struggling to recover from weeks of illness, and he may remain hospitalized for several days.

Having lost part of one of his lungs in his youth, the pope has recently had to delegate the reading of his speeches to aides. During his weekly general audience on Wednesday, he acknowledged his difficulty, saying, "I cannot yet read my speeches," before optimistically adding, "I hope that next time I can."

To aid his recovery, Francis had conducted meetings from home last week. However, he still held official engagements on Friday morning, including an audience with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Overcoming Health Challenges
Despite ongoing health concerns, Pope Francis has maintained a demanding schedule.

Last year, he withdrew from a Good Friday event due to what the Vatican described as a "light flu," yet he still went on to lead Easter services.

In March 2023, he spent three nights in the hospital due to bronchitis, which was treated with antibiotics. Another bronchitis episode forced him to cancel a planned trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate summit in December 2023.

The pontiff also underwent hernia surgery in June 2023 and a procedure for diverticulitis—an intestinal inflammation—in 2021.

Since 2022, he has relied on a wheelchair due to persistent knee pain, occasionally using a cane when standing. Additionally, he has suffered multiple falls in recent months, including one in January that resulted in a bruised forearm and another in December that left a visible bruise on his jaw after he fell from his bed.

Yet, despite his health struggles, Pope Francis remains highly active.

In September 2024, he completed a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, the longest of his papacy in terms of duration and travel distance.

Renowned for his tireless work ethic, he does not take holidays and often schedules as many as a dozen meetings in a single morning.

His health issues have frequently fueled speculation about his potential resignation, particularly since his predecessor, Benedict XVI, stepped down in 2013 due to declining health.

Although Pope Francis has acknowledged that he might resign if he becomes incapable of fulfilling his duties, he has firmly stated that, for now, he has no such plans.

In a memoir published last year, he wrote that he had "no serious reason" to consider resignation, describing it as a "distant possibility" that would only be warranted by "a serious physical impediment."