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| Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection | Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection |
| (32 minutes 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 says. | |
| The 86-year-old had breathing difficulties in recent days but does not have Covid, a statement said. | |
| It said he would 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. | "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, are expected to stay the night at the Gemelli Hospital, a person with direct knowledge told the BBC. | |
| This is the busiest time of the year for Pope Francis, 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. He appeared in good spirits but was seen grimacing as he was helped into his vehicle. | |
| The pontiff has used a wheelchair in recent months due to mobility problems related to his knee. | |
| He also underwent surgery to treat a colon problem in 2021. In January, he said the condition had returned. | |
| Despite his ailments, the Pope has remained active and has undertaken trips abroad. 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 deteriorates. | |
| Pope's schedule over Easter | |
| 2 April, Palm Sunday: 09:30 (7:30 GMT) Papal Mass, 12:00 Sunday Blessing | |
| 5 April: 09:00 Papal General Audience | |
| 6 April, Holy Thursday: 09:30 Chrism Mass in St Peter's Basilica | |
| 7 April, Good Friday: 17:00 Passion of the Lord, 21:15 Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum | |
| 8 April, Holy Saturday: 20:30 Easter Vigil in St Peter's Basilica | |
| 9 April, Easter Sunday: 10:00 Easter Sunday Mass, 12:00 Urbi et Orbi in St Peter's Square | |
| 10 April, Easter Monday: 12:00, Pasquetta in St Peter's Square | |
| 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 |