Tests confirm a respiratory infection, but Covid infection is ruled out. The transfer to the hospital took place after the ordinary general audience yesterday morning. “Thank you all for your closeness and his prayers.”
Rome () – Pope Francis spent a quiet night at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he was admitted yesterday afternoon for a respiratory infection. In a note published today, the director of the Vatican Press Office Matteo Bruni wrote that the pontiff “rested well during the night. The clinical picture gradually improves and he continues with the planned treatment. This morning, after breakfast, he read some newspapers and has resumed his work. Before lunch he went to the chapel of his private apartment, where he gathered himself in prayer and received the Eucharist”.
According to reports, after holding the ordinary general audience in the morning, the Pontiff experienced difficulties breathing immediately after lunch yesterday, while he was in his room at Casa Santa Marta. He was transferred to the hospital, where a CT scan was performed, which gave a negative result: it would not, therefore, be pneumonia, but rather severe bronchitis for which he is receiving antibiotic treatment. It must also be remembered that more than sixty years ago – when he was 21 – Bergoglio had the upper lobe of his right lung removed due to three cysts, although he has always said that he never had serious problems in the following years for this reason. .
Yesterday afternoon, Bruni, the director of the Vatican Press Office, explained that the results of the examinations “showed a respiratory infection (Covid 19 infection ruled out) that will require a few days of adequate hospital medical treatment.” “Pope Francis – the note concluded – is moved by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers.”
The Pope is hospitalized on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic, in the rooms that also housed John Paul II and where he stayed during his surgery in July 2021. The infection manifested itself on the eve of the Holy Week celebrations that Pope Francis should preside. For the moment, only the commitments for today and tomorrow have been cancelled, although it is not ruled out that a cardinal be appointed to preside over the rites in San Pedro in the coming days in the event that he should extend his stay.
