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Pope Francis is being treated for bronchitis.
On Friday, Feb. 14, the Vatican confirmed in a news release that the pope, 87, had been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.
This came after officials announced earlier in the day that the pope would “undergo several diagnostic tests and continue treatment for his ongoing bout of bronchitis.”
“This morning, after his audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for necessary diagnostic tests and to continue hospital treatment for his ongoing bronchitis,” the statement read.
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The press office explained that he had been “suffering from bronchitis for several days,” something he has noted during some of his public audiences.
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The Vatican announced on Feb. 6 that the pope had been diagnosed with bronchitis and would be conducting his audiences at his home in Vatican City.
“Due to bronchitis that he is experiencing these days, and in order to continue his activities, on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8, Pope Francis’ audiences will be held at Casa Santa Marta,” the statement read at the time.
As a result of the pope’s hospitalization, new arrangements have been made for the upcoming Jubilee events, including the canceled Jubilee Audience, which was set to take place on Feb. 15.
“The Jubilee Audience scheduled for tomorrow, February 15, has been canceled,” a statement from the Holy See Press Office read. “The Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture, set to take place on Sunday, February 16, will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.”
The statement continued, “Furthermore, the meeting with artists, originally planned for Monday at Cinecittà, will not take place due to the Pope’s inability to attend.”
The pope was previously hospitalized for bronchitis back in March 2023. At the time, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the Pope recently “complained of some respiratory difficulties” before visiting Policlinico A. Gemelli for “medical checks,” per CNN.
Later that year, he was admitted to the hospital again for a three-hour intestinal surgery due to “recurring” symptoms caused by an abdominal hernia.
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