The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis might want to remain in hospital as a consequence of his “complex clinical picture”.
The Pope was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday as a consequence of issues with bronchitis. The Vatican said that medical tests had revealed polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, resulting in a change within the Pope’s medical treatment plan.
As a results of the Pope’s condition, his weekly General Audience has been cancelled this week.
Despite his hospitalisation, the Pope is in “good spirits” and has reportedly continued attempting to minister to Catholics in extremely difficult situations.
The Pope called parishioners of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, which is headed by an Egyptian-born priest and by Father Gabriel Romanelli, who just like the Pope himself, was born in Argentina.
Father Romanelli has been in regular contact with the Pope for the reason that recent conflict between Israel and Gaza broke out 15 months ago. This weekend’s call was delayed, not by the Pope’s condition, but by a blackout affecting Gaza City.
Father Romanelli, said of the decision, “We heard his voice. It is true, he’s more drained. He himself said, ‘I even have to care for myself.’ But you can hear the clear voice, he listened to us well.”
During the decision the Pope thanked the congregation for his or her prayers and “closeness” and gave them his blessing.
Pope Francis, 88, has led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, following the surprise resignation of his predecessor Benedict XVI.
In March 2023 the Pope spent three nights at Gamelli Hospital, again for bronchitis. Later within the 12 months he was forced by illness to cancel a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 climate summit.
At the age of 21, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, because the Pope was then known, needed to have a part of a lung removed.
