Pope Francis hospitalised with bronchitis

ROME: Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on Friday for tests and treatment for bronchitis, the latest in a series of health problems for the 88-year-old pontiff.

Francis, who has been breathless in recent days and has delegated officials to read his speeches, held his morning meetings as planned before heading to Rome´s Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said. He was hospitalised for “some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue treatment for ongoing bronchitis in a hospital setting”, it said.

The Argentine pontiff, who took over as head of the Catholic Church in 2013, will be staying in a suite used exclusively by popes, which has its own chapel. The pope, who had part of one of his lungs removed as a young man, has been suffering with breathing difficulties for over a week, asking aides several times to read his speeches aloud on his behalf.

At his weekly general audience on Wednesday, Francis said he “cannot yet” read his own speeches, adding with a smile: “I hope that next time I can.” He also held meetings at home on February 6 and 7 in an attempt to rest and recover.

On Friday morning, the Vatican confirmed he had audiences with five visitors including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. The Argentine pontiff has been plagued in recent years by health issues, although he continues to maintain a very busy schedule. He pulled out of a Good Friday event in March last year after catching what the Vatican called a “light flu”, but went on to lead Easter services as planned.