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| Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pope Francis attended his weekly audience at St Peter's Square earlier on Wednesday | Pope Francis attended his weekly audience at St Peter's Square earlier on Wednesday |
| Pope Francis has a respiratory infection and will need to spend "a few days" in hospital in Rome, the Vatican has said. | |
| The pontiff had breathing difficulties in recent days but does not have Covid, the statement said. | |
| He will need "a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy". | |
| "Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer," the statement added. | |
| His closest staff, including security, were expected to stay the night at the Gemelli Hospital, a person with direct knowledge told the BBC earlier. | |
| This is the busiest time of the year for Pope Francis, 86, with many events and services scheduled ahead of Easter weekend. | This is the busiest time of the year for Pope Francis, 86, with many events and services scheduled ahead of Easter weekend. |
| A Palm Sunday Mass is scheduled this weekend, and Holy Week and Easter celebrations next week. | A Palm Sunday Mass is scheduled this weekend, and Holy Week and Easter celebrations next week. |
| He is also scheduled to visit Hungary at the end of April. | He is also scheduled to visit Hungary at the end of April. |
| On Wednesday morning, he presided over his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. | |
| Though he looked to be in good spirits, he was seen grimacing as he was helped with getting into his vehicle. | |
| The pontiff has suffered from mobility problems related to his knee in recent months, forcing him to use a wheelchair. | The pontiff has suffered from mobility problems related to his knee in recent months, forcing him to use a wheelchair. |
| He also underwent surgery to treat a colon problem at the same hospital in Rome in 2021. In January he said the condition had returned. | He also underwent surgery to treat a colon problem at the same hospital in Rome in 2021. In January he said the condition had returned. |
| Despite his ailments, the Pope has remained active and has undertaken trips abroad this year. He visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. | Despite his ailments, the Pope has remained active and has undertaken trips abroad this year. He visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. |
| In January, the Pope led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI - who was the first pope to step down voluntarily for centuries. He said this was due to ill health. | In January, the Pope led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI - who was the first pope to step down voluntarily for centuries. He said this was due to ill health. |
| Pope Francis has previously indicated that he may also wish to follow in Benedict's footsteps in the event that his health deteriorated. | Pope Francis has previously indicated that he may also wish to follow in Benedict's footsteps in the event that his health deteriorated. |
| From February: BBC religion editor Aleem Maqbool witnesses the Pope's visit to Kinshasa | From February: BBC religion editor Aleem Maqbool witnesses the Pope's visit to Kinshasa |
| From February: BBC religion editor Aleem Maqbool witnesses the Pope's visit to Kinshasa | From February: BBC religion editor Aleem Maqbool witnesses the Pope's visit to Kinshasa |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Vatican City | Vatican City |
| Pope Francis | Pope Francis |
| Roman Catholic Church | Roman Catholic Church |