Pope Francis remains at the hospital, continuing his recovery from a lung infection, said a Vatican official in Reuters.
Doctors diagnosed the 88-year-old pope with a respiratory tract infection, and Vatican News reported he had a “restful night” at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital.
Though he was feverish on Friday, it had stopped by Saturday. The Vatican confirmed to Fox News that Pope Francis had been battling bronchitis for around a week prior to his admission.
Before he was hospitalized, the CNN CEO Mark Thompson met with the pope and noted that although he was in fine mental health, he struggled to speak for several hours due to breathing difficulties. This new medical issue raised fears given the pope’s history of medical issues.
Pope Francis has long struggled with health problems. He had part of his lung removed at age 21 due to pleurisy, an inflammation of the lung lining. He has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, including a serious colon operation in 2021 and an abdominal operation in 2023.
His long-standing knee issues have also affected his mobility, leading him to use a cane or wheelchair at times.
Despite these setbacks, Pope Francis has remained active in his papal duties, continuing to welcome world leaders and make public appearances.
His recent illness has, however, brought into question his long-term ability to lead the Church. In his autobiography, he responded to criticism of his physical limitations by saying, “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs.”
Apart from his breathing issues, the pope had two falls in recent times, one in December and another in January. The second fall, which occurred at home, had his arm placed in a sling as a precaution.
As the leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis’ health remains of utmost concern. Vatican officials have already assured individuals that his condition is stable and that he is receiving the proper care.
However, given his age and medical history, any hospitalization is only to be expected in raising concerns about his future.
In the meantime, Pope Francis will continue resting and recovering under medical supervision at Rome’s biggest hospital, with no news yet on his discharge.