Tobias Sylvester
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has been admitted to a hospital due to a respiratory infection.
The 86-year-old pontiff was taken to Gemelli hospital in Rome on Wednesday after complaining of breathing difficulties over the past few days.
Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni in a statement on Wednesday, said Pope Francis will remain in the Rome hospital for several days of treatment.
“In the past days, Pope Francis had lamented some respiratory difficulties and this afternoon was brought to the Gemelli Hospital for a medical check.
“The result of these [tests] highlighted a respiratory infection (excluding COVID-19 infections) that will require several days of appropriate hospital treatment.
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expressed his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” the statement said.
Pope Francis, who earlier this month marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church, has suffered a number of health issues in recent years but normally has a busy schedule and continues to travel widely.
His admission to the hospital on Wednesday, for what the Vatican initially said were pre-planned tests, forced him to cancel a number of engagements.
It also raises questions about his presence at services for the upcoming Holy Week and Easter, Christianity’s most important holiday.
Pope Francis’ health has attracted increased scrutiny in the past two years, during which he has undergone colon surgery and begun using a wheelchair or a walking stick due to chronic pain in one knee.
KanyiDaily recalls that Pope Francis sparked controversy after suggesting that people who prefer having pets instead of children exhibit “a certain selfishness” to rob us of humanity.
